Remembrance: APS attack victims paid homage

LAHORE:

Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique said on Monday it was the responsibility of every citizen to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.

He was addressing the participants of a rally arranged by the Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI) and Amirud Din Medical College to pay tribute to the martyrs of Peshawar’s Army Public School.

The walk started from the PGMI on Birdwood Road and concluded at Shadman Chowk. The participants carried placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies.

Rafique said the Operation Zarb-i-Azb was yielding good results. “But it is our national obligation to keep a vigilant eye on our surroundings and help law enforcement agencies eliminate terrorism,” the adviser said. He said the entire nation was on the same page against terrorism. Ending the menace was necessary to make Pakistan prosperous, Rafique said. He said the nation would always remember Home Minister Shuja Khanzada for sacrificing his life in the country’s war on terrorism.  He said the government was committed to protecting life and property of the people. P

GMI Principal Khalid Mehmood praised the provincial government for its efforts to eradicate terrorism. He said the government was successfully implementing the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism. Mahmood said that bravery and courage of students of the Army Public School was exemplary. “They have made history sacrificing their lives for the country. They have given a message to the terrorists that they cannot defeat the Pakistani nation.”

Lahore General Hospital Medical Superintendent Niaz Ahmed, Nursing Director General Nusrat Saeeda, Mayo Hospital Nursing School Principal Kauser Parveen, faculty members of the Amiruddin Medical College and students and nurses from the Postgraduate College of Nursing, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Mayo Hospital and the Services Hospital participated in the rally.

Multan: The civil society, government officials and students from various schools on Monday organised a walk in Multan to express solidarity with the slain APS students. Led by Additional District Collector Manzar Javed, the walk started from Fort Qasim and concluded at Kutchery Chowk. The participants carried banners and placards condemning terrorism.  Javed said the nation was united to defeat the terrorists’ agenda.

Faisalabad: The district government of Faisalabad has planned various programmes to pay tribute to the APS attack victims.  A government spokesperson said two debating competitions would be organised at the Government MC Girls Higher Secondary School, Bhowana Bazaar, and the Government Girls College, Gulistan Colony. An exhibition of posters will be held at the Faisalabad Arts Council in which students of public and private colleges will participate. A declamation contest among girls will be organised at the Government Islamia College for Girls, Eidgah Road.  The district Sports Department will organise taekwondo competitions at the Crescent Sports Complex and T-20 cricket matches among various clubs at Bohran Wali Ground.

Bahawalpur: The district government in Bahawalpur has, too, planned various activities to honour the APS students. The Sports Department will organise an inter-tehsil and inter-district hockey tournament at Mattiullah Hockey Stadium Bahawalpur from December 13 to 16.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2015.