Remembering the fallen: Tributes for Dec 16 victims pour in from all corners

Politicians, students, teachers all stress that sacrifices cannot be forgotten.

PESHAWAR: Tributes poured in from all parts of the province for the victims of Army Public School a day ahead of the anniversary of the brutal massacre.

On Tuesday, city district nazim Muhammad Asim Khan remembered those slain on December 16, 2014, saying the sacrifice of the nation’s children could never be forgotten. “The terrorists have no religion,” Asim Khan stated.

A unanimous resolution was passed to support Operation Zarb-e-Azb and the National Action Plan (NAP). They observed a moment of silence in the council hall on the request of ANP district member Asif Khan Baghi.

School students, meanwhile, held a rally to show solidarity with the victims of APS massacre. Finance Minister Muzaffar Said led the rally outside Peshawar Press Club. Private school students, their parents and others related to the field of education participated.

Talking to The Express Tribune, private school student Taimur Khan said he and his peers were without fear and would continue with their schooling. “We will respond to the bullet with the pen,” the child said.

Addressing the rally, Said expressed his solidarity with martyred APS students and asked the country to stand united with parents in this hour of grief.

In Swabi, a condolence reference was held on the outskirts of the district. The event took place at Marghaz Government Girls Primary School No1 where prayers were offered for the victims. Headmistress Tahamul Rana addressed the event, saying the innocent children could never be forgotten

Representatives of the PTI spoke to the media in Bannu and said people were showing their solidarity with the families of the slain children. Also, Bannu People’s Students Federation showed their unity with the martyrs’ families.

In Charsadda, Government Rizwan Sareer Shaheed Higher Secondary School Utmanzai also organised a remembrance event on Tuesday. A number of senior officials, including the district education officer and political figures, were present. The father of martyred Rizwan Sareer, Colonel Sareer Khan, said terrorists had stirred the country and every child was willing to sacrifice his life for his or her motherland.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th,  2015.