As people struggle to come to terms with the loss of at least 148 people in the devastating terror attack on Army Public School (APS), candlelight vigils, special prayer ceremonies and demonstrations were held across the province for the departed.
Apart from Peshawar, candlelight vigils and ceremonies were held in Charsadda, Shangla, Swabi, Abbottabad and Mansehra on Thursday.
Students of various educational institutes of the provincial capital gathered at Peshawar Press Club and demanded a school and library be built in the name of the victims. With placards, banners and posters held aloft, the students condemned the brutal assault on APS. They said the need of the hour was to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the country.
Student representative Waqas Ahmed said such cowardly acts would not stand in the way of their education. They demanded students be provided a clean, healthy and productive environment at schools, colleges and universities.
Similarly, City University Peshawar students also held a demonstration outside the press club. The students demanded foolproof security at all educational institutes across the province.
Destroying the country’s future
Students and educationists gathered at University of Peshawar (UoP) said the attack by militants was tantamount to destroying the country’s future. A joint prayer was offered at Madina Mosque of the institute. UoP Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Rasul Jan, University of Engineering and Technology VC Syed Imtiaz Gillani, Islamia College University Vice Chancellor Ajmal Khan, Khyber Medical College Principal Dr Ijaz Khan and others were present on the occasion.
Jan said the terrorist attack was the “worst in human history” and a shock to every citizen. He added the victims were the doctors, engineers and professionals of the future. “The loss is irrecoverable.”
More schools
The students, teachers and the administration of Bacha Khan Education Trust also held a candlelight vigil and left flowers outside the gates of APS. “We want there to be more schools, colleges and libraries constructed and every one of them should be named after each victim student and staff of the APC,” said Dr Khadim Husain.
The participants said no mercy can be shown for the barbaric terrorists who carried out this assault. They demanded a change in government policies, adding if this school attack doesn’t open the nation’s eyes, Pakistan will become a failed state.
“The government should focus on restoring peace so every child can get an education without fearing for their lives,” said Husain.
Grief and anger
Demonstrations, special prayers and candlelight vigils were held at various institutes of Shangla. Meanwhile, markets and schools remained closed for a second consecutive day to mourn the tragedy.
Protests were held in Shah Pur, Poran Aloch and Besham.
Besham Model School Principal Ijaz Kamal said authorities need to make an example of the culprits so nobody could even consider repeating a similar act. He questioned how innocent children could be killed in the name of Islam.
Political party leaders and private school children also held protests and prayer ceremonies for the victims of APS.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf district President Rahamzada urged political parties to unite and find a way to eliminate terrorists. He said the government should take tangible steps to clear areas of these militants.
Protests continued for a second day in Abbottabad. Demonstrations to condemn the attack on APS were attended by social activists, students, political workers and journalists.
Rallies were taken out in Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur. The participants condemned the terrorist act that robbed families of their loved ones. To mourn the loss of children at APS, Christians in Abbottabad and civil society members in Mansehra held separate candlelight vigils.
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