PESHAWAR: The parents and relatives of the victims of the 2014 Army Public School (APS) Peshawar massacre observed a candlelight vigil and held a march on Monday night to mark the 11th anniversary of one of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan’s history.
Furthermore, the December 16, 2014 attack claimed the lives of 147 people, including 132 students and 15 members of the school staff, while more than 180 others were injured.
The tragedy left a lasting impact on the nation and continues to shape public discourse on terrorism and accountability. In this regard, parents, siblings, and relatives of the martyred students and staff gathered on Shami Road and marched towards the APS campus.
The participants carried candles, raised slogans, and called for justice for their loved ones. The march finalized at the school premises, where families lit candles at the Shuhada Monument and offered special prayers in memory of those who lost their lives.
Moreover, Shuhada APS Forum President Ajoon Khan said that despite the passage of 11 years, the families were still waiting for justice.
He stated that the pain of the tragedy remained fresh and that the victims’ families continued to seek accountability for the attack. So far, Khan called on the authorities to take action against individuals and groups advocating for the resettlement of terrorists involved in the incident.
He also demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter, stressing that such steps were essential to restore the confidence of the affected families. He further urged the government to share the report of the judicial commission formed to investigate the APS massacre under the directives of the Supreme Court.
The families have a right to know the findings and recommendations of the inquiry, which he said could help address long-standing concerns and unanswered questions surrounding the attack.
In addition, parents planned to light candles at the Shuhada APS Monument near the Archives Library on Sher Shah Suri Road.
After offering prayers at the monument, participants were scheduled to march towards the Peshawar Press Club to reiterate their demands and draw public attention to their call for justice.
