Eighth anniversary of APS attack today

Families of 150 victims, all survivors remain aggrieved

PESHAWAR:

The eighth anniversary of the tragic Army Public School (APS) attack will be observed on Friday in Peshawar as the main official ceremony will be held at the APS on Warsak Road.

The December 16, 2014 attack left around 150 dead including teachers, students, non-teaching staff and security officials.

Shahabudin was one of those unfortunate parents who had lost their children in the grisly assault.

“Each year the anniversary of the attack increases our grief. My son Muhammad Ali was a grade 9 student in APS. He was our only offspring,” said Shahab while talking to The Express Tribune.

“Our entire life is meaningless with our only son gone. He wanted to be an SSG Commando and defend the motherland. We had high hopes and many dreams. Everything ended on that tragic December 14, eight years ago. We are the real undead with him,” he said, adding that they were living with his pictures and memories and were waiting for the day when they too will join him in the heavens.

His mother said that Muhammad Ali was in auditorium where the manslaughter was carried out.

“Whenever I see his picture it feels like he is alive. He is still with us,” she added.