#PeshawarAttack - The grief of the APS parents

For the parents of the children who suffered the nation’s most tragic day on December 16, 2014, there seems to be no end to the grief that has befallen them. More than 40 days have passed since the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) entered the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar and executed some 141 children and their teachers, leaving scores more injured and psychologically scarred for life. To mark the end of the 40-day mourning period, known as chehlum, the parents of the APS victims were invited to the Chief Minister’s (CM’s) House in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan was present as well. The parents of all those children, believing that Imran Khan would listen to their views, found this to be an appropriate opportunity to list their many grievances with the way the government in the province was handling the matter. Many complained that their children were not receiving the kind of medical treatment that was promised to them but they were responded to by being pushed aside and ignored, with even some instances of name-calling by prominent members of the PTI, including CM Pervez Khattak. This is atrocious. These men and women have been through hell and back burying their children en masse and having to watch those that remain fight an emotional battle for the rest of their lives. The PTI leaders, including Mr Imran Khan, should be ashamed of themselves for this vile behaviour.

Speaking of the PTI head, he promised these parents, right after the attack, an inquiry and report with 15 days. Where is this report? Now, once again Khan has promised the same. Some 15 to 20 dismayed parents left the CM House and started a protest against the indifference of their government, and who can blame them? Their souls have been ravaged and the only thing that keeps them going in this lifelong torment is the hope that there will be some sort of justice and care. This was a golden opportunity for Imran Khan to make good on his promise of two days ago to concentrate more on the good governance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This should have been his starting point: applying some balm to the gaping wound that is the misery of the APS parents. He should have dealt with their grievances, soothed their frustration and convinced them of his complete cooperation in seeing to the wellbeing of the survivors as well as promising to see the culprits brought to justice. Instead, he did what almost all Pakistani politicians do: neglect the people who really matter. He needs to apologise and get to work; he has more than 141 reasons to do so.