Dancing girl ‘murdered by Taliban after refusing to give up traditional performances despite death threats’
12th January 2009
The Taliban has reportedly killed a traditional dancing girl in Pakistan, underlining its growing power in the the North-West Frontier Province.
Shabana’s bullet-riden body was found slumped on the ground in the centre of Mingora’s Green Square, strewn with money, CD recordings of her performances and photographs from her albums.
A Taliban leader later appeared on FM radio to admit the killing and warn the militant organisation would not tolerate any ‘un-Islamic vices’.
He said any other girls found performing in the city’s Banr Bazaar would be killed ‘one by one’.
The last of the bazaar’s celebrated dancing girls – once a 1000 strong industry – have reportedly packed up and fled to Karachi and Lahore, where their talents remain in great demand.
A resident of Banr Bazaar, Fayaz, said dance performances had earned participants about 50,000 rupees (
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