LAHORE: The carnage in the Army Public School and College, Peshawar, on Tuesday attracted a widespread condemnation from the people of all walks of life, including teachers and students, who said terrorists were the enemies of humanity.

A large number of civil society members organised a candlelit vigil at Liberty Roundabout to mourn the deaths of innocent children killed in the attack. Several families also attended the vigil to express solidarity with the families of the attack victims.

The Punjab school education department announced a one-minute silence and Fateha to be observed in schools on Wednesday (today).

The Lahore district education department will organise a condolence reference at the Government Central Model School, Rattigon Road.

The Government College University organised a blood camp at the New Hostel under the auspices of Fatimid Foundation for the injured victims of the attack. Hundreds of students donated blood at the camp.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khaleequr Rahman, faculty members and students condemned the attack and said they were deeply grieved and stood united with the government and armed forces.

The Lahore College for Women’s University and other universities will also observe a one-minute silence to express solidarity with the families of deceased children.

Punjab Teachers Union President Sajjad Akbar Kazmi, Imtiaz Abbasi and Liaquat Ali said teachers were shocked over the Peshawar incident. They urged head teachers in schools across the Punjab to offer Fateha for the children and observe mourning for three days by not organising any ceremony in their schools. They demanded the Punjab government ensure foolproof security of public schools students.

The All Pakistan Private Schools Federation also condemned the terrorist attack on the army-run school. Federation president Mirza Kashif said the war against terrorism must continue till the elimination of the last militant. He said it was a cowardly act to target innocent children. He announced that federation member schools would remain closed on Wednesday (today) and a mourning would be observed for a week.

Islami Jamiat Tulaba activists also condemned the attack and held a candlelit vigil at the Liberty Roundabout.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Punjab, announced a three-day mourning across the province. PTI provincial president Ejaz Chaudhry directed districts presidents to offer funeral prayers in absentia and hold dua on Wednesday (today).

Punjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran said the attack on children was against the teachings of Islam and the terrorists were committing kufr in the name of religion.

PU Academic Staff Association president Dr Ahsan Sharif and secretary Javed Sami condemned the terrorist attack.

Dr Sharif said it was highly barbaric to shed the blood of innocent people. The association expressed profound grief and shock over the loss of innocent lives in the suicide attack. They sympathised with the bereaved families and prayed to Allah Almighty to shower his blessings on the departed souls and grant courage and fortitude to the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss with patience and equanimity.

The PUASA executive body also condemned the attack while the Insaf Students Federation announced a candlelit vigil for the martyrs of Peshawar attack at Faisal Square on The Mall at 5pm on Wednesday (today).

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2014