Murder most foul: Govt announces three-day mourning

Trade, educational and cultural bodies to show solidarity with victim families

Federal and all provincial governments as well as various trade, educational and cultural bodies across the country have announced they will observe three-day mourning over the Peshawar incident.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced a three-day national mourning “to express solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones in the barbaric attack on a school – the worst ever terror attack in the country’s history”.

Khyber Pakthunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak also announced a three-day official mourning. “It is a national tragedy and a three-day official mourning will be observed in the province,” he said, while talking to reporters after inquiring after the health of the injured at Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital.



Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families.  He also announced three-day mourning in Sindh.

“We also urge all the political parties to unite for joint struggle against terrorism and to work for progress and prosperity of Pakistan,” he said while speaking to journalists in Jamshoro.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KPCCI) also announced a period of mourning. In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the KPCCI expressed “deep shock and sorrow over the horrifying incident”. The body also asked trading community of Peshawar to observe a shutter-down today (Wednesday).

Peshawar University Teachers Association (PUTA) announced they will observe three-day mourning. According to a statement, the PUTA members will fasten black stripes from today and hold a solidarity walk in the university on Thursday.

Different trade bodies and organisations of Faisalabad also condemned the cowardly act and announced to observe ‘a day of mourning’ on Wednesday (today) when all types of business as well as trade activities will remain suspended.

Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) has also announced that all PTEA offices will remain closed on Wednesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2014.