Representatives of political parties join the protests at Liberty and Charing Cross. PHOTO: AFP
Protest demonstrations were staged in various parts of the city on Friday to mark the passage of one month since the terrorist attack on Army Public School in Peshawar in which 136 children were killed.
The rallies were arranged on the call of civil society and human rights activists to condemn the December 16 attack.
Two major gatherings were arranged at the Liberty roundabout and Charing Cross in front of the Punjab Assembly. The protesters carried placards and chanted slogans against terrorists.
Representatives of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the PML-Quaid, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, the All Pakistan Muslim League and the Awami Workers’ Party (AWP) took part in the protest.
Carrying party flags, their workers made their way to Charing Cross at around 4pm. Traffic on and around The Mall remained suspended during the protest.
National anthems were played in the backdrop as the protesters chanted slogans against the Taliban. They said those who supported the terrorists were traitors.
“Bachon kay qaatil, ustaad kay qaatil” was one of the popular slogans.
AWP general secretary Farooq Tariq called on the state to put an end to the ‘mullahism’, calling it the root of all evils.
“The nation will stand united once mullahism is eliminated from the country,” he told the crowds.
Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party general secretary Taimur Rahman raised the ‘Taliban Zalimaan’ slogan.
“Our leaders have catered to these elements for 30 years. We must eliminate the Taliban from our society to eliminate the cancer of terrorism,” he said.
PML-Q’s Mian Imran Masood said the nation stood united in demanding peace and stability. He said the country faced several challenges.
“It is encouraging to see that we are united today,” said Asif Khan from the PPP.
Chaudhry Ilyas Gujjar of the APML said the nation stood united against terrorism. His speech was interrupted with the chants of ‘Dictator ka jo yar hai, ghaddar hai ghaddar hai’.
PTI’s Seemi Bokhri called for continuing death penalties. “We won’t forget our martyred children. Today, we are proud of those who are brave enough to return to the Army Public School.”
“We need to act against the nurseries that nourish these elements,” said Pervaiz Malik of the PML-N. He said the government was working on a multi-prong strategy to fight terrorism.
The National Commission for Justice and Peace, the Child Advocacy Network (CAN), the Khwaja Sira Society and representative of physically-challenged people were also present.
Rashida Qureshi, a liaison officer at the CAN, said children were not afraid of the incidents like the Peshawar attack.
Nearly 30 children, mostly street children and those from orphanages, were part of the CAN delegation.
Asiya Daud, 15, said the government was not paying enough attention to schools’ security.
“We are not here just to condemn the incident but also demand security from the government.”
Rights activist Hina Jilani paid tribute to those who had lost their lives in the attack.
“Today, I ask you if you are ready to stand with humanity? Can we say that the military leadership of Pakistan stands with its people? If yes, then show it.”
Family members of the victims of last year’s Wagah Border attack also spoke. The protestors lit candles and politicians formed a human chain to express solidarity with the victims of the school attack.
At Liberty, members of civil society formed a human chain. The SOS Children’s Village and the Idara-i-Taleem-o-Aagahi also took part in the protest.
A human chain was also formed by students and members of civil society in front of the Army Public School in Cantonment. Students carried posters reading ‘We will not be scared’.
The University of Engineering and Technology arranged a ceremony attended by the education minister. He said the country stood united against its enemies.
“We will fight together. The Peshawar tragedy has united the nation. No one will snatch the right to education from our children.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2015.
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