Belying the impression that the country has forgotten about the Army Public School martyrs, the second day of the Islamabad Literature Festival opened with an interaction with students and teachers from the ill-fated Peshawar institution.

Students recounted their horror and helplessness, while teachers narrated the struggle to restore normalcy in the lives of children whose innocence had forever been shattered.

Emotional scenes were witnessed at the session and many audience members could not hold back their tears. Local schoolchildren also presented a dramatic reenactment of the popular poem ‘Bara dushman bana phirta hai’, which was released in memory of those who were killed on Dec 16 last year.

Mohammad Amir Mehboob — 2nd Year student

“When you are struck by a bullet, you don’t feel anything – just the sensation that you’ve hit by something. Because of my injury, doctors tell me I am unfit to join the army. But I can’t let that lower my morale. So what if I’m not fit; I can study hard and become an aeronautical engineer and serve my country that way.”

Maaz Irfan — 2nd Year student

“What happened to us was a nightmare. Whenever I study, I see that whole horrible scene play out before my eyes. When I walk down the street, I’m constantly afraid that someone will jump out of the shadows. I’m scared, very scared. But we can’t be cowed by our fears, we must continue our studies.”

Suleman Khan — Maths teacher at APS Boys College

“The role of teachers is central to helping children cope with the tragedy. When the attack was taking place, I personally protected around 40 children. They were afraid and I would reassure them and ask them to pray. Even when we were in the hospital, both children and teachers were kept together, so the students had us to help them through their physical and psychological ordeal. Despite my injuries, I went back to school on Jan 16 to stand with my students.”

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2015

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