PESHAWAR: Two-and-a-half months after the Army Public School in Peshawar lost its beloved headmistress Tahira Qazi in a deadly attack, an advertisement in local dailies is calling out to suitable candidates to apply for the vacant post of APS principal.

The school witnessed a horrific assault by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) last year on Dec 16 which left 150 people, including 132 students, dead. APS principal Tahira Qazi was also killed in the deadly attack.

Amidst heightened security, the school re-opened on Jan 12 along with other educational institutions in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Take a look: Reopening APS: Courage against terror

Speaking to Dawn.com via telephone, an official, who asked to be named as he was not authorised to speak to media, said that Section Head Tariq has been acting as the school's interim principal after the brutal killing of Ms. Qazi.

Described as a "polite, decent lady", Ms. Qazi served at the school for 20 years. She was the daughter of Qazi Hayatullah , a lawyer of Mardan district, better known to many as one of the members of Khudai Khidmatgar or Red Shirt movement of Bacha Khan.

Former APS principal Tahira Qazi. — Photo courtesy: Facebook

She started her teaching career at Presentation Convent School Risalpur in 70s where she used to teach English.

“I was just five years old and I can still remember how politely she treated me,” said a former student, who is now an accomplished lawyer. She was also one of the pioneers at Army Public School and Degree College.

Read more: The journey of light will go on

In the advertisement, the school has invited applications from male and female candidates for appointment as Principal in Army Public School & College (Boys), Warsak Road, Peshawar Cantt.

The qualifications stated in the advert entail a MA, MSC and B.Ed with 15 years of teaching and administrative experience in reputed schools/colleges. It goes on to add that those with Army Public School and College System (APSACS) will be preferred. The age limit specified in the notice is 45 years and above.

It says that applications along with Curriculum Vitaes (CVs), passport sized photographs and a photocopy of Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) should reach the APS secretary by March 22, 2015 on the provided address.