PESHAWAR: Leaders of Milli Yakjehti Council (MYC) on Saturday demanded of the government to execute all the convicted terrorists.

Addressing a condolence reference held for the victims of the Army Public School and College, Peshawar, at the Jamaat-i-Islami secretariat here, the ulema condemned the grisly attack and killing of innocent students and teachers, according to a press release.

The speakers also supported the ongoing military offensives in North Waziristan and Khyber Agencies and said that a true Muslim could not be a terrorist.

Leaders of various religious parties attending the reference pledged to play their due role from the platform of MYC to purge the society of the menace of terrorism and extremism.

JI central general secretary, Liaqat Baloch, condemned the carnage at the school and also criticised ‘secular groups’ for allegedly propagating against Islam. He said that hundreds of professionals, including doctors and engineers, had been killed in the violence. People involved in terrorism have nothing to do with Islam and these people don’t deserve leniency, he said, adding that the leadership should reframe internal and external policies to challenge the forces threatening the country.

Mr Baloch termed the killing of teachers and students a national tragedy, saying that such terrorists were also involved in attacks on mosques and other religious places. “These people are the enemies of Islam and humanity,” he said.

The JI leader welcomed the unity shown by the leaders of political and religious parties as he said the country could not afford polarisation at the critical stage of its history.

Mr Baloch demanded execution of all the convicted terrorists.

Meanwhile, the MYC leaders also went to the Army Public School and College and offered fateha for the victims. They also expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2014