PTI chief Imran Khan and his new wife Reham Khan. PHOTO: ONLINE
Planned to be with our brave children who returned to APS today along with Reham & CM KP, but we were advised to postpone visit 1/2
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 12, 2015
The newlywed Imran, whose PTI is the ruling party in Peshawar, added that him and his wife were advised not to continue with their visit as Army chief General Raheel Sharif was visiting APS for a "soft opening".
2/2 as COAS was going today for what we were told was a "soft" opening of the APS. But we will be there with our brave children this week.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 12, 2015
He said he would visit the school children later this week.
"We will be there with out brave children this week," he tweeted.
The school had been mercilessly attack on December 16 by militants of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The sombre day marked the death of 150 people, including over 130 children.
Survivors of the attack returned to their studies amid tight security, some students still wearing bandages, Reuters reported.
In an emotionally charged and nervous atmosphere, parents, some crying, met army chief Gen Raheel Sharif who had travelled to Peshawar to address them in a private meeting.
"The army chief didn't make a speech but individually met the parents and assured them they would eliminate the terrorists from the country," a security official told Reuters.
Another official said eight-feet high walls were being built around public schools in Peshawar as part of enhanced security, with hundreds of residents volunteering to protect schools.
But some parents, especially those grieving their children, stayed away from the meeting with the army chief, saying it was too painful for them to go back to the school.
"Yes I was invited to the function and meeting with the army chief. I couldn't dare to go to the school where my sweet son was ruthlessly killed," said one father.
"And what would I get from meeting the army chief when they couldn't even save my young son and children of many other parents?"
"It feels like my son died once again today. When I saw other children going to schools it reminded me of my son. I went to his room and helplessly sat in front of his school bags and school dress."
COMMENTS (19)
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@Imran Qadri: We as Pakistanis do not have a sense of a time and place for certain actions to happen, and it was a visit to a school affected by tragedy, and the mission was to boost the students moral. If there was to be an interaction with parents, the parents and school administration should have pre arranged it with Mr Khan's administration. It is unfair for parents to have waylaid him if indeed they were parents and Islamically should be practising sa-bur as not to cause a fracas, which was most unfortunate under the circumstances. Mr Khan's visit was well received by the majority of the students and from what I observed they responded very positively to his encouragement. At the same precise moment a dubious press conference was being televised by the government's information minister maligning Mr Khan's attendance at APS, NEED ONE SAY MORE. Here in Scotland if I have any issues I make an appointment to see my local MP, I NEED NOT STOP HIM FROM CARRYING OUT HIS DUTIES OR DISRUPT POLICE FROM DOING THEIRS.
@Muhammad: Because schools were opened yesterday
Seriously, r u sane? i hope you r joking or else have poor memory because u forgot whole bunch of politicians this nation has challenged with, for quick revival of your memory let me remind u Zardari........@khaptaan:
@Muhammad: he did but i think u don't watch the news that often.
Pathetic excuse........you Sir have missed the boat......and this is not the first time. Leadership at a national level.....is different from autocratic leadership of a cricket team......if you aspire to be a national leader learn the power of ' the public apology '.........its a balm that cures all.
All those criticizing the COAS need to stop and think. I am pretty sure the COAS had planned to attend school reopening well in advance as opposed to the political leaders who do not plan ahead. Had the COAS attended along with IK all the press and PMLN people would have complained that the COAS is taking sides and is seen visiting with IK and not the PM. By asking IK to postpone for a day the COAS is avoiding controversy and being neutral in this political war. Think before you blame.
@F Khan: Please listen to what he said about getting married now rather than after two weeks. The reason is that the media frenzy and all sort of rumors and lies in it forced him to marry now. He explained it well and I do not doubt his words.
@Muhammad: Imran Khan did visit the school right after that tragic day. Thanks.
@F Khan: (I am very vocal critic of Imran the politician,though I love him as sports man and social worker)
I can understand why hurriedly married her,actually he was in no hurry,only when news got leaked to media and some section of media started mudslinging on his wife to be,only then he decided to hold the marriage early otherwise he was planning for it abit later.
"I went to his room and helplessly sat in front of his school bags and school dress.”
Being a father myself, it brought a chill in my backbone and tears in my eyes.
@Muhammad,
He did visit the injured students before. He'd visited Peshawar 3 times after APS attack. Educate yourself.
Great leader and good gesture.
Imran Khan should not create security or protocol hurdles. It was army school and it befits army chief to be there for the first time. Imran will visit in a few days.
@ Khan Sb: Why could'nt you postpone you marriage by 2 weeks so that the brave children (as you say) could be back to school and the shaheed children chehlum could have passed? Why were you in so much a hurry for the marriage?
@ Mohammad
Did you just came out of cave now ? He was their on the first day even before operation ended.
IK you are definaltely the worst thing happened to pak politics.
His tweets should be confirmed from ISPR ...What is "Soft opening"......its high time we start questioning our leaders and verify their statements ...Did anybody approached ISPR to confirm his tweets ...Alas!!!! PTI is joining the ranks of status quo parties !!!! I feel so sad for my vote !!!...Nobody from KPK Govt. felt responsible for the massacre or lack of security measures .....Even the media is silent about it
Sometimes good intentioned efforts by Pak army end up being counterproductive when the military exercises exclusiveness rather than inclusiveness in carrying out its mundane activities. Top brass needs to take notice of this unintended shortcoming, and sometimes allowances have to be made. One case in point was the recent visit of boxer Amir Khan who was barred by military officials to visit the CM Secretariat where he was due to meet KP government officialdom. It gave one an impression of army refusing to share the opportunity with others for self-publicity & selfish purposes. Indeed, the APS tragedy is a national tragedy and nobody, especially national figures, should have been barred from partaking in such a solemn affair.
Mr Khan why didn't you visit the injured students before? now you want to shine your politics.
This is weird country where PM's motorcade has to stop to let COAS motorcade pass. Imran's party is ruling party of KPK,he is literally boss of the province,he should have visited the school even if COAS was there for "soft opening". What hindrance could have he caused,maybe military authorities must have thought that he & his charming wife would steal the limelight ?