PESHAWAR: Workers of political parties and students continued taking out rallies and holding demonstrations here on Friday to condemn the killing of innocent students in a militant attack on the Army Public School, Peshawar, and show solidarity with the aggrieved families.

Awami National Party activists, led by central general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain, took out a rally on Saddar Road. The participants marched from the Saddar Bazaar to Peshawar Press Club while shouting slogans against terrorism.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Hussain said that the incident had saddened the entire nation, but it had led to unity among the people against terrorism and to raise one voice against the menace.

Appreciating the political parties for forging unity, he said that it was a good opportunity for the security forces to take a decisive action and eradicate terrorists.

He said that terrorists had killed thousands of innocent people, including law enforcers, and destroyed their properties, and as such there should be no confusion about taking action against them. He said that the way the militants killed the teachers and students had no example in the history and that was why the entire nation strongly condemned it and raised voice for unity against them.

Mian Iftikhar says good opportunity for army to take a decisive action

The ANP leader said that the time was ripe for taking a decisive action to get the nation rid of the menace of terrorism otherwise they would make the lives of people extremely miserable in parts of the country. The entire nation, he said, wanted solution to the issue and the army and government being on the same page was a good omen for the country’s future.

Mr Hussain also appreciated Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan for calling off his sit-in and described it a good decision in the country’s larger interest. He asked all the political parties to play their role for restoration of peace.

Sardar Hussain Babak, Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash and Ms Sitara Ayaz also spoke on the occasion.

Activists of Pasban, led by Haji Lal Mohammad, also held a protest demonstration at Sher Shah Suri Road and shouted slogans against terrorists. They assured support to the government and expressed solidarity with the aggrieved families. Also, students of various educational institutions held demonstrations outside the press club and condemned the militant attack on the APS, Peshawar.

Published in Dawn December 20th , 2014