ISLAMABAD: Two days before the first anniversary of the attack on Army Public School (APS), the federal government on Monday named 122 educational institutions in Islamabad after the martyred students.

A press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office says the public schools will be renamed as a way of paying tribute to the students killed in the attack.

According to the statement, the prime minister has taken the initiative to ensure the memory of the martyred children will outlive that of the tragic incident that took their lives.

The press release states the prime minister as saying: “The intolerant don’t want our children to learn, but we will not give in,” adding that the students who lost their lives have sowed the seeds of enlightenment.

He was reported as saying that “while our enemies fight with hate and extremism, we must fight back by promoting tolerance, enlightenment and education”.

Director General, Federal Directorate of Education, Moinudin Ahmed Wani said that following the prime minister’s directives, the notifications for renaming the schools were being prepared.

“We are going to name IMSG Pangran, Chak Shahzad after the little girl who was killed in the attack, while 121 boys’ institutions will be named after the boys,” he said, adding that almost the same number of schools in the five sectors (Bhara Kahu, Nilor, Sihala, Tarnol and Urban) will be renamed after the martyred children.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2015