APS a national tragedy; national leadership to attend, says Ghani

91 injured students were given admission to a cadet college

PESHAWAR: Calling the Army Public School massacre a national tragedy, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government invited the national political and military leadership to commemorate the first anniversary of the tragedy. The event will be held on the APS premises where President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Shareef, PTI Chairperson Imran Khan and other political leadership will be in attendance.

“Leaders of all political parties have been invited to attend the first anniversary so that a message can be given that the nation was united [on the day],” K-P Government Spokesperson Mushtaq Ghani told journalists on Thursday. “Investigation into the incident is under way and four persons have been hanged to death while warrants against others have also been issued.”





He said it was incorrect to think the case was not being investigated. Ghani requested that families of the victims be updated on the proceeding of the on-going enquiry.

Updates

While talking about the post-APS attack proceedings, the minister stated a psychosocial rehabilitation centre has been established and 855 people, including family members of the victims besides staff, performed umrah.

“Jobs were also announced from the next kin of the victims, in addition to free education for children of the deceased teachers and staff members.”



The minister told journalists, 91 injured students were admitted to a cadet college while nine were unwilling. “Moreover, 144 students visited foreign countries.”

He said 111 government schools and three roads in K-P, five schools in Fata, two in Punjab and one in Balochistan were named after the deceased students. “Sitara-e-Shujaat was conferred upon two students and 142 others got the Tamgha-e-Shujaat.”

Public holiday

Ghani requested December 16 be declared a public holiday, ceremonies be arranged and guard of honour be presented at the graves of the deceased. He also requested honorary military officer ranks be awarded to all those who were martyred.

He informed journalists PTI Chairperson Imran Khan will be inaugurating the APS Martyred Memorial Library and will also lead a walk on the same day.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th,  2015.