HYDERABAD: Students of universities and schools, lawyers and members of civil society held vigils, took out processions and staged demonstrations in several Sindh towns on Thursday to express anger at the terrorist attack on Bacha Khan University in Charsadda and demand arrest and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of the massacre.

In Hyderabad, activists of the Awami National Party staged a demonstration outside the press club, demanding that the provincial and federal governments resign over their failure to eliminate terrorism as it was the fundamental responsibility of state to protect lives and property of its citizens.

Acting provincial president of the party Haji Sher Zaman, deputy secretary general Qamoos Gul Khattak, central vice president Mahrab Gul Mohmand and others condemned the attack on the university named after an apostle of peace and said that masterminds of the attack were enemies of Pakhtuns and knowledge.

They said the government should implement all points of the National Action Plan to rid the county of the menace of terrorism. Those who had handed over the land of Pakhtuns to terrorists over the past 30 years should change their policies to help bring about real change, they said.

In Dadu, students and teachers of the Government Boys Pilot High School took out a procession after boycotting classes to protest against the attack on the university.

Altaf Hussain Memon, a schoolteacher, and students Abdul Nabi and Abdul Qadir who led the protest demanded immediate arrest of the terrorists who, they said, managed to wreck havoc on the university because of security lapses.

Faculty members and students of Sindh University, Dadu campus, held a condolence meeting for those who lost their lives in the university attack.

Dr Anwar Ali Shah G. Syed, pro vice chancellor of the campus, said at the meeting that the government should increase the number of security personnel at all universities, colleges and schools in the country. He demanded immediate arrest of the terrorists.

In Khairpur, members of civil society held a vigil by lighting earthen lamps at Chatri chowk to pay respects to those who lost their lives in the university attack. Lawyers also boycotted court proceedings to express sorrow over the tragedy.

In a press statement, Ghulam Sarwar Kandhir, pro vice chancellor of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Z.A. Bhutto campus, faculty and administration condemned the attack.

They said the attack was tragic and heart wrenching. The nation must get united to defeat terrorism once and for all. They also offered Fateha for the departed souls.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2016