LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to observe a week (Dec 10 to 16) in memory of the martyrs of APS Peshawar who had fallen victim to a terrorist attack on Dec 16 the previous year.

A spokesman for the Punjab government Zaeem Qadri told a press conference on Wednesday that it had been decided to observe week-long activities across the province to pay a rich tribute to the sacrifices of APS students and teachers.

The main function would be held in the provincial metropolis on Dec 12 where Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, civil and military officers and representatives of various walks of life as well as relatives of some of the martyrs would be in attendance.

Walks, dialogues, seminars, declamation and essay writing contests, Quran khwani and duas would be held at district and divisional headquarters where heirs of the martyrs belonging to the area and elected representatives, including ministers, would also be invited, he added.

Special police parades would be organized at the divisional headquarters to mark the occasion, he said.

Responding to a query about the security of schools, he said a panic button had been installed in each public school which would invite a response from police and Quick Response Force within six to seven minutes.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2015