APS victims: Shuhada Forum accepts Tamgha-e-Shujaat

PESHAWAR:

Members of the Shuhada Ghazi Forum have accepted the government’s decision to award Tamgha-e-Shujaat to victims of the Army Public School massacre.

At a news conference held at Peshawar Press Club on Monday, the families appreciated the government’s efforts to bring to the fore those terrorists who were involved in the December 16, 2014 carnage.

Earlier, led by the forum’s general secretary, Ajun Khan, the families had refused to accept the posthumous civilian award and criticised the corps commander for the attack on the school. However, now the families have accepted the honour but continue to demand the military award Nishan-e-Haider.

Going political

Forum members also expressed dissatisfaction over the leadership of the forum at the conference on Monday and said they would conduct elections within the forum to elect a president and other office bearers so that they can “struggle for their rights and get due punishment for the terrorists”.

“We thank the army and the government for the awards of valour,” said Mian Amir Gul Kakakhel, a member of the forum. “We will receive the award from the governor but will also inform him about our demand for Nishan-e-Haider.”

Meanwhile, during a ceremony held at Governor House on Monday, 122 students and 20 staffers of APS were given the Tamgha-e-Shujaat.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2015.