Book of poetry ‘Carnage in December’ launched

Special function arranged to pay tributes to APS martyrs

PESHAWAR: A special ceremony was arranged here to pay tributes to the students and staff members who lost lives in the gruesome attack on the Army Public School on December 16, 2014.

The function was arranged by the Gandhara Hindko Board at the Gandhara Hindko Academy. A book of English poetry titled “Carnage in December” was launched on the occasion.

Composed by a noted poet and former chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ejaz Rahim, poems in the 120-page publication have been dedicated to all mothers.

It is the 20th book by the writer. He is a close relative of a brave and fearless police official, Safwat Ghayur, who was born in Peshawar on July 14, 1959 and laid down his life in the line of duty on August 4, 2010 while serving as the commandant of the Frontier Constabulary. The function, largely attended by the family members of the martyrs, had some unique features.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr Meher Taj Roghani of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Isaf, Jamaat-e-Ismali Member Provincial Assembly Rashda Riffat, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Aamna Sardar, JI District Council member Humera Nayyar and Qaumi Watan Party leader Meraj Humayun Khan attended the ceremony and spoke on the occasion. However, the organisers declared all the grieving parents of the martyrs as chief guests. The step was highly appreciated by the parents.

The senior most among the mothers of the APS martyrs, Zulekha Bibi, the oldest among the fathers of the slain students, Aslam Qureshi, and the youngest sibling of a shaheed student were seated on the stage along with poet Ijaz Rahim. The invitation cards were printed individually and bore name and photograph of each student. The shields awarded to the parents had portraits of the students, date of birth and martyrdom along with addresses.

A Hindko language research scholar, Muhammad Ziauddin, said the sacrifice of the APS children and staff members had become an unforgettable part of our history. He paid tributes to the slain children and staff, saying the affected families were not grieving alone. “The entire nation shares your grief,” said the writer while reassuring the parents and siblings of the martyrs who were present on the occasion.

A cultural activist, Dr Salahuddin, saluted the APS martyrs and praised the affected family members for their patience. He spoke high of Ejaz Rahim for his book of poetry that spotlights the sacrifice of the young martyrs, teachers and other staffers.

The author, Ijaz Rahim, who had travelled from Islamabad to attend the ceremony, said it was his 20th publication. “I seldom attend the functions arranged to launch my books. But this function has a special significance and that is why I am here,” he explained.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr Meher Taj Roghani said the sacrifice by the APS young martyrs united the nation, adding it would secure our coming generations. She praised the parents of the young martyrs for their patience and courage, saying the nation stood by them.

Two Hindko and an Urdu video songs were screened on the occasion that showered tributes on the APS martyrs.

The copies of the book and other publications were also distributed to the family members of the martyrs.