An award for valour: Nishan-e-Haider demanded for principal, teachers of APS

Aman Ittehad representatives say foreign policy needs to be reshaped.

PESHAWAR: Aman Ittehad on Thursday demanded the martyred principal and teachers of Army Public School be awarded Nishan-e-Haider for their bravery.

Representatives of the Aman Ittehad, a platform for citizens striving for peace, democracy and justice in Pakistan, held a conference at Peshawar Press Club to condemn the barbaric massacre of children and staff of the Army Public School on December 16, 2014.

They expressed solidarity with those affected by the latest senseless act of violence in a long and painful series of attacks on citizens, law-enforcement agencies and the  military over the past decade.



The forum’s representatives demanded the courage of the martyred principal and teachers be recognized by conferring on them the highest military award for valour, the Nishan-e-Haider. The conference was also attended by the Aman Tehreek, Aman Mera Haq Hai, Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network, Tehreek-e-Huqooq Hazara and the Tribal NGOs Consortium.

Aman Ittehad appreciated the political and military leadership for drawing up a counter terror action plan to stem the spate of violence and militancy which has threatened the very existence of the state.

The forum lashed out at the earlier policy of  ‘strategic depth’ and demanded the state clearly commit itself to abandoning the skewed strategy. Speakers said Pakistan’s foreign policy was in urgent need of an overhaul, stressing it needed to be reshaped to ensure peaceful coexistence with neighbouring countries. They added proactive diplomacy needs to be pursued to build bilateral relations on trade. The representatives urged all stakeholders be included in the debate for a fruitful outcome.

During the conference, political parties were urged to disband their armed wings, if any, and ensure that no ticket for elections or office is given to any individual who harbours extremist thoughts or is an apologist or supporter of extremism.

A strong counter-narrative to extremism must be given priority and a clear stance needs to be taken against all forms of hate-mongering, said speakers. They called for respect and freedom to practice one’s religion without discrimination.

On the occasion, NGO Khwendo Kor’s representative Maryam Bibi said setting up military courts is a controversial move. She said “speedy justice” has never proved to be fair, or even speedy. Maryam Bibi added a clear mechanism needs to be devised to implement the action plan against terrorism, saying registration and regularization of madrassahs is needed along with reviewing the material taught at seminaries.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2014.