HYDERABAD: In a spontaneous outpouring of sympathy for the bereaved families and departed souls of students who were mercilessly slain by terrorists in an attack on Army Public School, Peshawar, a day ago, traders voluntarily kept their businesses closed in almost all big and small towns across the province on Wednesday.

Almost all political, religious and nationalist parties -- except a few --, human rights organisations, trade and professional bodies, lawyers, members of Hindu community, government officials and students took part in processions, Quran Khwani and ghaibana namaz-i-janaza organised by different organisations for the departed souls.

Students in all government and private schools across the province prayed for the victims and the schools administrations flew national flag at half mast to mourn the great human tragedy.

In Hyderabad, all main markets and shopping centers remained closed in all parts of the city in response to a call for mourning over the tragedy.

Several rallies were taken out and protests were staged by traders, social welfare organisations, journalists and political parties and special prayers were offered in mosques, government offices and schools.

Many organisations as well as employees of government departments of revenue, Hyderabad Electric Supply Company and activists of banned Jamatud Dawa offered funeral prayers in absentia.

Jamaat-i-Islami, Milli Yakjehati Council, PPP, PML-F and Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association took out rallies and held Quran Khwani for the victims.

Hyderabad Union of Journalists (HUJ) staged a demonstration outside the press club. A faction of HUJ and civil society representatives held a candle-lit vigil outside the press club. Similar vigils were held in different parts of the city by people of different communities and groups on roundabouts and main roads as a mark of respect for the slain students.

A condolence reference was held at Government Muslim Science Degree College and special prayers were held in Tando Allahyar, Tando Mohammad Khan and Matiari districts.

Processions were taken out by different social groups and organisations to condemn the tragic incident. The participants demanded the terrorists who mercilessly butchered children be hanged in public.

LARKANA: Many political, human right organisations and students took out processions to condemn the Peshawar tragedy.

At the press club candles were lit to pay homage to the slain schoolchildren in which Larkana commissioner, PPP leaders, journalists and people from different walks of life participated. JI took out a procession and offered ghaibana namaz-i-janaza for the victims.

MIRPURKHAS: A complete strike was observed in the city with all markets, shopping centers and filling stations shut. The MQM, PPP, JI, Sunni Tehreek (ST), Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), Shia organisations, Hindu welfare committee, JI, municipal workers, rickshaw owners association and staff of deputy commissioner office took out rallies, offered ghaibana namaz-i-janaza and held Quran Khwani and fateha at different places in the city.

All schools held Quran Khwani and fateha.

SUKKUR: Residents of Sukkur, Jacobabad, Ghotki, Kanhdkot and other adjoining towns observed a day of mourning over Peshawar carnage and kept the cities shut.

In Sukkur, all markets and bazaars remained completely closed and lawyers boycotted courts. All private schools remained shut and activists of different organisations held demonstrations outside the press club.

Sukkur Small Traders held Quran Khwani at clock tower and MQM held ghaibana namaz-i-janaza for the martyrs at Jinnah Chowk and lit candles.

A rally was also taken out by workers of JI, JUP, social, trade, religious and professional organisations.

Members of Hindu community lit candles in remembrance of the martyrs in Peshawar.

In Jacobabad, Quran Khwani was held in different educational institutions and offices. Lawyers boycotted courts and took out a rally to condemn terrorism.

Activists of JI, Majlis Wahdat–i-Muslimeen, ST, PPP-SB and municipal staff took out rallies and held funeral prayers in absentia outside the press club.

SHIKARPUR: Activists of PPP, MQM, JI, ST, PML-N, JSQM, JSM, district bar association, teachers and trade organisations held condolence meetings and expressed great sorrow and grief over the tragedy.

Students offered ghaibana namaz-i-janaza at Government High School, Lakhi Gate Clock Tower Chowk, district judicial complex ground, Punj Gulla Road and other places.

KHAIRPUR: Traders voluntarily observed a complete shutdown and held a condolence reference for the martyrs of Peshawar tragedy.

Students at the schools offered fateha for the departed souls and condemned the barbaric act.

A condolence reference and Qur­an Khwani was held at Shah Ab­d­ul Latif University in which deans, directors, chairpersons and sectional heads of departments took part.

NAWABSHAH: All main markets in the city and its adjoining towns remained completely closed, special prayers were offered at all private and government schools and activists of JI and MQM offered ghaibana namaz-i-janaza outside the press club for the martyrs.

Lawyers boycotted courts and members of Peoples Youth Wing, Bhangwar Welfare Association, Child Club and Hari Welfare Association also held gatherings.

BADIN: A complete strike was observed in Matli town and activists of various religious and political parties including JI, JUI-F, ST, PML-N and PPP Youth Wing took out rallies to condemn the terrorist attack.

The protesters also offered ghaibana namaz-i-janaza.

Lawyers boycotted courts and held a condolence meeting. Special prayers and ghaibana namaz-i-janaza were also offered in Badin, Golarchi, Tando Bago and other towns.

MITHI: A large number of activists of political and religious parties, teachers, students and members of civil society took out a rally, urging the government to take drastic measures to curb terrorism.

Members of district bar association boycotted courts.

NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: Spea­cial prayers were held in all government and private schools, lawyers boycotted courts and activists of JI and ASWJ held condolence meetings for the victims of the Peshawar tragedy.

Similar gatherings were held in Nausharo Feroze, Kandiaro and Bhria City.

Published in Dawn December 18th , 2014