#NeverForget: Ali’s death left his father without a friend, his right-hand man

Ikram Shah says Ali Abbas’s loss has created a void in their lives

PABBI: Ali Abbas, a ninth grade student who died in the heinous Army Public School attack on December 16, 2014, was remembered by friends and family at an event held to commemorate his first death anniversary.

The event was held in his hometown in Yehsood, Pabbi Speaking to the media, Dr Ikram Shah, Ali’s father, said, “No parent forgets what happens to his or her child.” He said the incident has adversely affected the lives of parents who lost their children in the massacre.



“Ever since I lost Ali, my heart skips a beat whenever my phone rings in my office and I pray nothing bad has happened,” Shah said.

“Ali was my eldest son. He was responsible and mature for his age.” He added Ali’s loss has created a void in their family’s life. “I used to give him money so he can look after the house and do the chores in my absence,” Shah said. “He would help me feel better and rid me
of stress.

According to the bereaved father, he tries not to leave home for a prolonged periods of time anymore.

“I miss him every time I travel anywhere,” he said. “Whenever I used to go out, Ali would insist on going with me, and so we would end up going together. Now that he is no more, his absence bears me down like nothing else ever has.”

Shah told the media Ali wanted to become a doctor once when he grew up.



“He was very close to his mother and his sister Sundus,” he said. “Ali was a friendly boy who left a positive impression on everyone he met.

It is because he was so cheerful that he was liked by everyone who met him.Everyone was visibly moved by his death.”

The government has renamed Government High School Daag Yehsood after Ali and he has also been awarded Tamgha-e-Shujaat.

“It is my wish that God grants this government and our army victory against those responsible for this attack and eradicate terrorism from Pakistan,” Shah added.

Shah also requested the parents of the victims to not allow anyone to cash in on the tragedy.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2015.