LAHORE: Representatives of the civil society organised a memorial camp in front of Lahore Press Club on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attack on Peshawar’s Army Public School to pay tribute to the victims.

They demanded that those responsible for the massacre be apprehended and exposed and their trial held immediately, including that of Ehsanullah Ehsan -- the former spokesperson for the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, who was arrested in April 2017.

The camp was organised by a peace group, called Rawadari Tehreek, who expressed solidarity with the families of the victims of APS. They carried placards and banners against extremism, and terrorism and chanted slogans.

“Dec 16 should be called ‘National Day against Extremism and Terrorism’ to show solidarity with the victims of terrorism,” said Rawadari Tehreek Chairperson Samson Salamat.

He said there must be some signs of commitment towards helping abate terrorism, suggesting that by 2020 there must be serious efforts and results showing religious tolerance and respect for religious diversity.

Salamat lamented that even after five years people were demanding the same things, and no justice had been done. He called for implementation of the National Action Plan, especially ban on hate speech.

“Seriousness of the state functionaries means there must be stern action against the terrorists and militant outfits wherever they exist without any differentiation of good or bad because they should not deserve any soft corners. They were all killers of thousands of innocent citizens and should be brought to justice indiscriminately,” he maintained.

Naseer Ahmed, the president of Rawadari Tehreek, said that the financing of terrorist groups should be checked strictly and stopped. All those individuals or groups, who are supporting militants and terrorists openly or secretly, should be held accountable. Comprehensive border security plans were urgently required to control the movement of foreign terrorists entering Pakistan and using the country for terrorist activities, he added.

Samia Mughal from south Punjab called Dec 16 the darkest day in the country’s history.

Vikram Manzoor pointed out the problems in school syllabi, which spread hatred based on religion, sect etc and said these should be done away with immediately.

The demonstrators called for de-weaponisation of society without which, they said, nothing could change.

MPA Sadia Sohail Rana, PPP Human Rights Wing’s Naseer Ahmed, Kul Masalik Ulema Board Chairman Allama Asim Makhdoom, PTI Ulema Wing General Secretary Allama Asghar Arif Chishti, Awami Workers Party’s Shazia Khan and others attended the camp.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2019