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BBC Asian Network to air Pak Floods specials

The BBC Asian Network revisits Pakistan in the aftermath of the Floods for a week of special programming starting on Monday 15th November.

The station�۪s news programme, Asian Network Reports, will have coverage from Pakistan at 12:30 and 18:00 each day, investigating the aid efforts, the country�۪s progress and hears from the victims who are now starting to rebuild their lives after the devastating disaster.

The Network also speaks to ‘Dragons’ Den’ panellist James Caan about his efforts to help the victims and there will be content on the station�۪s languages programmes (20:00) throughout the week.

Kicking off the week, Monday�۪s Asian Network Reports will be at one of the hardest hit areas in the country and will explore how a Blackburn funded project is trying to restore the region back to normality. It’ll also visit a water purification plant, which has been provided for the Pakistani Christian community, who are said to be left out of any aid plans.

On Tuesday, the news programme will spend time with the Midlands Aid Trust who are helping to rebuild a village and will also speak to Dragon�۪s Den panellist James Caan about his involvement in the relief projects, finding out what he has done to help the country�۪s flood victims. On Wednesday our reporter goes back to a city that was left completely under water after the flood and explores how the aid efforts have helped to restore it to a fraction of it�۪s former self.

Asian Network Reports comes live from a medical camp run by Islamic Relief on Thursday and on Friday, our reporter sees how the Circle of Life charity is providing new livestock to families to help rebuild their livelihoods.

Language Programming
Throughout the week, at 20:00, the Asian Network Languages programmes will bring listeners six exclusively commissioned reports, where we will hear further stories of those who have suffered, losing their homes and lives and also from those who have survived the floods.

On Monday, the station looks at the impact that the devastating floods have had on Pakistan’s rich agricultural belt – the Punjab. Being so hugely significant for Eid al-Adha (the festival of Sacrifice), the report investigates how the dwindled livestock and lack of cattle will affect the Eid celebrations across the country.

On Tuesday, the special report looks at the orphans of the flood. As the devastating disaster destroyed families, futures and livelihoods, we hear remarkable tales of resilience and determination.

On Wednesday, the show will be inspired by stories of those who have survived the floods. With whole villages being wiped out and destroyed and thousands of people made homeless, we’ll hear amazing stories of survival from the victims.

On Thursday, the programme will spotlight Commonwealth Gold Medallist Azhur Husaain, who after seeing his village submerged under floodwater, went to Islamabad to continue training, to go on and win the Gold Medal in Wrestling, despite little or no contact with his family.

On Friday, the station investigates the efforts of British Muslims, who have been particularly commended as aid contributions and relief efforts continue to pour into Pakistan.