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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Pakistan Swat valley roads reopen | Pakistan Swat valley roads reopen |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Pakistani military is reopening roads into the conflict-hit Swat valley and neighbouring regions. | The Pakistani military is reopening roads into the conflict-hit Swat valley and neighbouring regions. |
| The move is intended to encourage people displaced by earlier fighting against the Taliban to return home. | The move is intended to encourage people displaced by earlier fighting against the Taliban to return home. |
| Some of the two million displaced have already returned, but damage to the region's infrastructure means returnees will rely on aid for months to come. | |
| The UN has stressed that the return, which will begin with people living in temporary camps, must be voluntary. | The UN has stressed that the return, which will begin with people living in temporary camps, must be voluntary. |
| See a map of the region | See a map of the region |
| Once people have been moved from the camps, the army will begin returning people who have been living in schools and other places since they fled the fighting between Taliban militants and government forces. | Once people have been moved from the camps, the army will begin returning people who have been living in schools and other places since they fled the fighting between Taliban militants and government forces. |
| The return is being overseen by the substantial military presence established in the Swat, Malakand and Buner regions after Taliban militants were dislodged. | The return is being overseen by the substantial military presence established in the Swat, Malakand and Buner regions after Taliban militants were dislodged. |
| Damaged infrastructure | Damaged infrastructure |
| General Nadeem Ahmad, who is coordinating the operation, said every family leaving the camps would receive cash support from the government. | General Nadeem Ahmad, who is coordinating the operation, said every family leaving the camps would receive cash support from the government. |
| Fears abound in Swat's main town | Fears abound in Swat's main town |
| Gen Ahmad had a similar role following the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir. | Gen Ahmad had a similar role following the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir. |
| A computerised identity card system, which was developed then through the banks, is being used again to help registered users access state aid. | A computerised identity card system, which was developed then through the banks, is being used again to help registered users access state aid. |
| However, much of the infrastructure in the Swat region was severely damaged in the months of fighting. | However, much of the infrastructure in the Swat region was severely damaged in the months of fighting. |
| Power and water supplies have been shattered and the reconstruction is expected to take many months. | Power and water supplies have been shattered and the reconstruction is expected to take many months. |
| A resident of the town of Sultanwas, in Buner province, told the Associated Press that if the government failed to provide for people's needs, "no one will stand against militant extremism in the future". | A resident of the town of Sultanwas, in Buner province, told the Associated Press that if the government failed to provide for people's needs, "no one will stand against militant extremism in the future". |
| "In this war we lost and gave everything, saw our village destroyed," said Muhamed Shereen. | "In this war we lost and gave everything, saw our village destroyed," said Muhamed Shereen. |
| "So now the people of Sultanwas look to the government and the whole country and world to come forward and help us." | "So now the people of Sultanwas look to the government and the whole country and world to come forward and help us." |
| The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan, who recently visited Swat's main town, Mingora, said the town was largely intact, with markets and residential areas still standing. | The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan, who recently visited Swat's main town, Mingora, said the town was largely intact, with markets and residential areas still standing. |
| But the security situation remains uncertain and supplies are critically low, he says. | But the security situation remains uncertain and supplies are critically low, he says. |
| Click here to return | Click here to return |
| Did you leave the Swat valley due to the earlier fighting? Are you planning to return soon? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Did you leave the Swat valley due to the earlier fighting? Are you planning to return soon? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |