APS anniversary: Tributes paid to martyrs

Speakers stress need for national unity to counter terrorism

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI/ABBOTTABAD: Several events were held in and around the capital on Friday to pay tribute to the students and staff of Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar who were killed in a terrorist attack two years ago.

Speakers at these events called for reiterating their determination in the face of terrorism

On December 16, 2014, seven terrorists stormed the APS in Peshawar and massacred 141 students, teachers and staff.

In Islamabad on Friday, an event was held at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) where tributes were paid to the martyrs.

Senator Lt General (retd) Abdul Qayyum Khan said that the enemy tried to scare the nation by killing children. “But the enemy doesn’t know how brave this nation is,” he said.



Meanwhile, France expressed its solidarity with the government and people of Pakistan.

“France stands alongside the Pakistani people and its government in their fight against all acts of terrorism,” read a statement from the French Embassy.

Earlier, a candlelit vigil was held at the Army Public College in Rawalpindi on Thursday evening to pay tribute to martyrs of APS.

Air Defense Command, Regional Director Lt. Col Mushtaq, Principal APS Lt. Col Ahmed Saeed Saddique, a large number of students and their parents were present on the occasion.

Students carried posters condemning the brutal terrorist attack. Special prayers were also offered by the participants to express solidarity with the parents of the martyred children.

APS anniversary observed in Hazara

Like in other parts of country, students of schools, colleges and universities marked the second anniversary of the APS attack across Hazara division.

The day started with recitations from the Holy Quran followed by special prayers offered at various public and private schools and colleges. Some schools even staged a rally.

Students performed tableaus and in homage  to the martyrs of APS.

At the Hazara University, students took out a rally in addition to holding a special prayer.

Speakers on this occasion stressed on the need for unity among the nation against the terrorism and to take steps for preventing such tragic incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, there was a partial public holiday in schools and colleges in the district after the deputy commissioners of Mansehra and Abbottabad issued notifications for the holiday in educational institutions.

However, school and colleges remained opened in Haripur, Battagram, Kohistan and Torghar districts.

“It was not mandatory” claimed DC Haripur Taslim Khan while talking to The Express Tribune adding that the notices in the two districts were based on discretionary powers of the DCs.

Of the 141 people killed in the attack on APS, five hailed from the Hazara division.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2016.