By Shayne R. Burnham
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

PAKISTAN – Journalists are fleeing the northwest region known as the Swat Valley due to fighting between the Taliban and the Pakistan military.  A military-imposed curfew has caused most newspapers to stop publishing.  Human rights groups urge the Pakistani government to provide journalists with security to remain in the area and with permits so that they can report past curfew.

“Journalists love the thrill of working in ‘conflict zones’ where they can cover events which change the course of history,” says Mazhar Abbas, the former Secretary General of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). “Sadly, this no longer holds true for Pakistani journalists required to cover the war in the Swat Valley where they face dire security threats,” Abbas continues. “Every other day, there is news of journalists being killed or kidnapped, or threats to their families in the war-torn areas.”

The latest military offensive has killed more than 1,000 alleged militants.  The recent fighting began in early May but has continued in Lower Dir and Buner districts since last month.  At least one million civilians have been displaced, 1,000 of which are currently in relief camps.  The military plans to attack Mingora, one of the main towns in the Swat Valley.  Mingora is believed to house at least 4,000 Taliban.

Yet there is no way to verify claims since these places have become too dangerous for journalists.

Reporters Without Borders stated that due to the lack of media presence “the Swat Valley has become a lawless area. . .  This situation is unacceptable and must be remedied by the government at once.”

Despite the devastation, the presence of military forces in the Swat Valley has restored hope to those who reside there. Afzal Khan Lala, who is known for his resistance to the Taliban in Swat, said, “The ongoing military operation has given people hope because [this military operation] is different from the past — it is restoring people’s confidence [in their government and the army].”  He continues, “In my opinion, if the operation moves forward the same way, it will not take months to [restore peace to Swat].”

For more information, please see:

Associated Press – Pakistan: Offensive Kills 1,000+ Alleged Militants – 17 May 2009

Committee to Protect Journalists – Briefing: Pakistani Journalists Face Taliban, Military Threats – 30 April 2009

Index on Censorship – Pakistan: Journalism is First Casualty – 15 May 2009

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty – Swat Braces for Key Battle as Displacement Crisis Peaks – 15 May 2009

Reporters Without Borders – Journalists Flee Swat Valley En Masse – 12 May 2009