Imran perplexed by parents' protests, says APS run by army not province
PTI chief says he only visited the school to stand with the parents and to increase the morale of the students
A file photo of PTI chief Imran Khan. PHOTO: REUTERS
PESHAWAR:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Wednesday expressed bewilderment at the protests outside the Army Public School upon his arrival at the school's premises.
“I don’t understand what the point of the protests were ... I am just a chief of a party and Pervaiz Khattak is the chief minister of the province, but the school is run by the army,” said Imran.
The PTI chief went on to add that he was caught off guard with protest since he only visited the school to stand with the parents and to increase the morale of the students.
“If I have come here to increase the morale of the parents then what kind of a protest can be there against us?” Imran questioned.
Further, Imran said if the parents' anger is emanating from the lack of security at schools then he should not be held responsible. "There were over 65,000 schools in K-P and police could not possibly provide security to all of them," he added.
Imran also clarified that he initially got off his car to pacify protesters. “But I saw some people who did not look like parents, they responded with political comments so I sat back in my car.”
Earlier, the PTI chief said horrific attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar was an attempt to scare children from going to school.
He defended the protests by the mourning parents of the APS victims, saying that he respects their sentiments, but at the same time, he was asked to visit the school today.
“I wanted to come earlier but was asked to postpone my visit,” the PTI chief said.
Imran said the purpose of today’s visit was to express solidarity with the bereaved families.
"I am thankful for such a great welcome, the morale of the students was high," he said.
"Without education, the country cannot progress," he added.
"It is essential for all political leaders to stand with the school. We will not let education be affected in our country at any cost, it is part of religion."
"I am upset that there were parents outside [the school] who were protesting," the PTI chief said.
"I am upset there was an image that people did not want us there," the PTI chief added.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Wednesday expressed bewilderment at the protests outside the Army Public School upon his arrival at the school's premises.
“I don’t understand what the point of the protests were ... I am just a chief of a party and Pervaiz Khattak is the chief minister of the province, but the school is run by the army,” said Imran.
The PTI chief went on to add that he was caught off guard with protest since he only visited the school to stand with the parents and to increase the morale of the students.
“If I have come here to increase the morale of the parents then what kind of a protest can be there against us?” Imran questioned.
Further, Imran said if the parents' anger is emanating from the lack of security at schools then he should not be held responsible. "There were over 65,000 schools in K-P and police could not possibly provide security to all of them," he added.
Imran also clarified that he initially got off his car to pacify protesters. “But I saw some people who did not look like parents, they responded with political comments so I sat back in my car.”
Earlier, the PTI chief said horrific attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar was an attempt to scare children from going to school.
He defended the protests by the mourning parents of the APS victims, saying that he respects their sentiments, but at the same time, he was asked to visit the school today.
“I wanted to come earlier but was asked to postpone my visit,” the PTI chief said.
Imran said the purpose of today’s visit was to express solidarity with the bereaved families.
"I am thankful for such a great welcome, the morale of the students was high," he said.
"Without education, the country cannot progress," he added.
"It is essential for all political leaders to stand with the school. We will not let education be affected in our country at any cost, it is part of religion."
"I am upset that there were parents outside [the school] who were protesting," the PTI chief said.
"I am upset there was an image that people did not want us there," the PTI chief added.