KARACHI: The entire country, still reeling from the barbaric Taliban massacre of over 130 schoolchildren at the Army Public School in Peshawar, struggled to come to terms with a staggering sense of loss. Nationwide, most markets and businesses remained shut on Wednesday as the country observed the first of a three-day period of mourning for the victims of the senseless attack.

The leaders of political parties and members of civil society turned out for candle light vigils and offered prayers for the souls of the innocents.

In events held in all cities and towns across the country, people condemned the brutality of the barbarians who massacred innocent and teachers.

Amid the outpouring of grief, there were calls for the armed forces, political and religious leaders as well as civil society at large to come together to fight the threat of terrorism haunting the country. The government also came under increasing pressure to take steps for the elimination of extremism and terrorism rather than merely issuing statements.

As residents of Peshawar buried their dead and tended to those who were injured, nearly all other major towns and cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also remained completely shut down. In the provincial capital, the vibrant streets of Saddar, Qissa Khwani Bazaar, University Road and Karkhano Market remained deserted. Only a civil society rally from the press club to the Governor House broke the eerie silence that had descended over the city.

A country in shock begins to pick up the pieces

Islamabad too struggled to come to terms with Tuesday’s events. Flags on all major government buildings such as parliament, the Supreme Court and PM House were lowered to half-mast, communal prayers were offered, protests were organised, schools were shut and shutters on storefronts were pulled down.

The Islamabad Expressway was also blocked by students and people from other walks of life who offered funeral prayers in absentia for those killed in the attack. They chanted slogans against terrorists and urged the government to provide better protection to schools.

In Taxila, the ancient Dharmarajika Stupa was illuminated with over a hundred candles in memory of the departed.

Lahore too saw political and religious parties, civil society organisations and students coming out on the streets to pay tribute to the victims of the Peshawar tragedy. Lawyers stayed away from courts and all educational institutions were shut. Ordinarily bustling with life, the city went into mourning as nearly all businesses, even small stores and local outlets remained closed across Punjab.

In Karachi too, wary of politically-motivated shutdowns, major commercial centres such as Tariq Road and I.I. Chundrigar Road looked deserted as the city tried to come to terms with the scale of the tragedy that befell the entire country on Tuesday.

From Sukkur to Thatta, Dadu and across Sindh, most people stayed away from business activities and several events were held to express solidarity with the victims of the Peshawar tragedy.

In Balochistan, which has seen its fair share of violence, politicians, religious figures, lawyers, students, traders, journalists and the general public paid homage to the young martyrs of Peshawar and vowed to continue their struggle against terrorists and extremists.

Quetta saw a huge number of people gathering at Bacha Chowk to express solidarity with the bereaved families and offer funeral prayers for the departed.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2014