Shuhada forum rejects decision to establish university in Haripur

President Abid Raza Bangash says govt should set up institute in Nowshera

PESHAWAR: Shuhada Ghazi Forum President Abid Raza Bangash has rejected the decision to establish a university in Haripur named after an Army Public School victim.

He was speaking at an event organised at the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Archives and Library on Saturday. The event was organised to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the December 16, 2014 massacre. A large number of parents, social activists and members of the provincial and national assemblies attended the event.



“PTI Chairman Imran Khan had promised that the provincial government would establish a technical university in Nowshera district named after an APS martyr,” he said. “However, the institute was established in Haripur instead.”

Bangash criticised the government’s decision, saying the forum does not want a university in Haripur.

“The government should either establish a university in Nowshera or rename University of Peshawar after an APS victim,” he said.

Remembering the fallen

According to Bangash, the events planned on December 16 were largely organised by the government.

“However, today’s event has been organised by parents of the victims,” he said. “The event is not an attempt to gain something or make a series of demands to the government. On the contrary, parents have gathered to remember their martyred children.”

Speaking on the occasion, Jamaat-e-Islami MNA Aisha Sayed paid tribute to the APS victims, saying they are the real heroes of our country.



“Both federal and provincial governments should fulfil all promises made to students and family members of victims,” Sayed said. “A university should be established under the name of an APS martyr.”

The JI MNA vowed to raise a voice for the APS victims in the National Assembly and remind the government of its commitment to help the families.

During the event, family members of APS victims held pictures of their loved ones who had died in the massacre and prayed for them.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2015.