The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) recently welcomed a delegation representing a Highland area of Pakistan whose people are rebuilding their lives after suffering from the devastating floods and political violence in recent years.
In summer 2010 the Swat Valley, a region in northern Pakistan whose climate and environment has been likened to that of Switzerland and which had been one of the most popular tourist locations in Pakistan, was devastated by floods unprecedented in the history of Pakistan. This killed many hundreds of people and destroyed thousands of homes. Prior to this the Taliban established power in the valley, enforcing Sharia law. When the Pakistani army entered the area more than 2 million people fled their homes to avoid the fighting.