APS tragedy anniversary observed with solemnity
 

PESHAWAR: The city was overwhelmed by grief as residents, particularly those who lost their loved ones in the Army Public School massacre, observed the fifth anniversary of the tragedy on Monday.Several small and big functions were arranged in different parts of the provincial capital and elsewhere in the province to mark the day. Apart from the functions where the APS martyrs were formally remembered, many people were heard either talking about the tragedy or sharing their expressions on social media.A total of 147 people, including 132 young students, 13 staff members of the school and two soldiers of the armed forces were martyred in the tragedy that occurred on December 16, 2014 when terrorists stormed the sprawling building of the school located in one of the most secure area of the provincial capital.The main event was arranged at the Army Public School. It was attended by parents and family members of the martyrs, students and faculty members of the institution, officers from the armed forces and government departments.Prominent among them were Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood, Health Minister Dr Hisham Inamullah and principal of the school Naghma Habib.“It was a very well-organised event. Great respect was accorded to the martyrs and their families,” said Tufail Khattak, farther of a martyred student Sher Shah, who attended the ceremony.The school had been decorated with large portraits of the martyred students and faculty members. “We were taken to the school in buses. On our arrival, young students showered flower petals on us. I was impressed by the arrangements made to mark the day,” he said.At the Archives Library, the Shuhada Forum arranged another event at the Shuhada Hall. The event was addressed by parents of the martyrs and political leaders. The speakers expressed concern over the apathy of the government towards the tragedy and its victims.They said that five years have passed but no inquiry could be completed into the incident. The parents said that they were unable to forget the tragedy even after five years.“Every morning when I get up, I see my wife remembering my son Ishaq Amin. I hear her saying Ishaq how would be your small hands? How would be your small legs? It makes me cry every morning,” recalled Mohammad Amin.Mehwish Tariq, sister of two martyrs, said the day should have been observed as ‘black day’. “It is a matter of serious concern that no inquiry could be completed into the incident even after five long years,” she said.Member National Assembly of Pashtun from South Waziristan, Ali Wazir, who is affiliated with Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), also spoke on the occasion. He said that it was the duty of the state to provide protection and justice to its people. “But the state has badly failed to fulfill its responsibilities,” he maintained.Another function was arranged at the Islamia College University. Provincial Minister for Information Shaukat Ali Yousafzai, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Naushad Khan and others spoke on the occasion and paid glowing tributes to the martyrs.Yet another function was arranged at Shaheed Osama Zafar Centennial Model Government Higher Secondary School No 2 in Peshawar. Director Education Syed Mohammad Ibrahim was the chief guest on the occasion.Also, prayer offering functions were arranged at the houses of the martyrs where parents, relatives and friends gathered to pay homage to them.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/com/cwEr/~4/VGZgC5hivRY

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