By NNN-PTI
Islamabad : A string of deadly bomb attacks and warnings from pro-Taliban militants in northwestern Pakistan have forced many owners of internet cafes and shops selling music and movies to switch to ‘safer’ businesses.
In the past few months, such shops in Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province, and its surrounding areas have been the targets of bombings that have killed relatively few but spread panic among the people.
The trade in CDs featuring music and movies took off in the area about seven years ago and peaked during the past three years. Peshawar’s CD market at Nishtarabad had about 250 shops at one time. The provincial capital also became a hub for the business, especially for traders from the Gulf, South Asia, Afghanistan and even Europe.
When the owners did not shut shop after being warned by pro-Taliban militants earlier this year, their establishments were systematically targeted in bomb attacks. The explosions, which usually occurred a little before dawn, damaged shops and equipment.
The CDs are usually purchased by people from remote areas who have no access to cable TV. CDs of locally produced Pushto dramas, pirated Bollywood and Hollywood movies and popular music were the highest sellers.
The internet cafes, which sometimes doubled as computer training centres, were popular with youths who have very few options for entertainment.
The militants, however, described CD shops and cyber cafes as “un-Islamic” and warned their owners to switch to other businesses.