ANP observes chehlum of APS martyrs

PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party (ANP)on Sunday observed chehlum of the martyrs of Army Public School and College with the renewed pledge to render every sacrifice for eradication of terrorism from the country.
A function was arranged at party’s headquarters to pay homage to the martyrs and injured students and staff members of the APS & C.Attended by a large number of leaders and workers of the party, the event was addressed by ANP’s Senior Vice-President Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, General Secretary Main Iftikhar Hussain and others.
Ghulam Bilour said that the sacrifice of the martyrs of Army Public School and College would not go waste and this grave tragedy would certainly result in restoration of peace.He said the positive aspect of the incident was that the entire nation, political and religious parties have united against terrorism and an environment of unity has been created to win the war against the menace.
The ANP leader said the consensus for fighting terrorism should be maintained. “The war against terror is our war and we should win it at all costs. This is the war for the survival of the country and all the political forces should show unity,” he said.
Mian Iftikhar Hussain paid tributes to the martyrs. He said the names of those who embraced martyrdom for peace and education would be written in golden letters.He said that terrorism was the biggest problem confronted by the country and it was the right time for taking final action against the menace. The ANP leader said that the political leadership should stop beating about the bush and get united on a single point of fighting against terrorism.
To a question, the ANP leader said the banned outfits had continued their activities with changed names and some have joined the field in the name of relief activities. He stressed the need for immediate action against such organizations.
Mian Iftikhar was hopeful that the environment of unity against terrorism won’t be disturbed and eradication of terrorism would remain the top priority of all. But if the government showed lethargy in this regard, it would be a great dishonesty, he added.
He criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for observing chehlum of the martyrs days earlier, saying the provincial government used it for political point-scoring.
The ANP leader asked the government to ensure early release of the compensation money for the injured students and staff members of the school. He added that arrangements for sending some of the injured students abroad should also be made at the earliest for treatment.