Candlelit vigil held for APS victims amid moving scenes

PESHAWAR: The candlelight vigil was arranged on Sunday evening to remember loved ones amidst moving scenes as fifth anniversary of the Army Public School tragedy is being observed today (Monday).

The tragedy on December 16, 2014 had claimed 147 students and staff members of the army school in the heavily fortified and well-protected area of the provincial capital. The parents and relatives of the martyrs gathered at the Shuhada memorial outside the Archives Library to pay tributes to their loved ones.

A huge banner carrying portraits of the martyrs had been hanged outside the Shuhada Hall.

Mothers were seen crying while looking at the photos of the young wards, who had been massacred mercilessly in the one of the gravest tragedy that the city has witnessed.

The visitors kept placing flowers and bouquets at the Martyrs’ monument. Quran Khawani had also been arranged at the main hall of the Archives Library for the departed souls. Later in the evening a procession was brought out of the library and after marching through the main Sher Shah Suri Road they reached to Peshawar Press Club.

The participants of the march were holding candles, banners and placards. The banners were inscribed with slogans expressing love for the martyrs. Some of the participants were also holding portraits of the martyrs.

Some catchy slogans had also been written on the banners. “We have forgotten the martyrs,” read one of the placards. Quran Khawani was also arranged at the homes of the martyrs.

The main functions to pay tributes to the martyrs would be held today (Monday) at the Army Public School (APS) and historic Islamia College University. The function at the APS would reportedly be attended by high-ups of the armed forces and top functionaries of the government, while at Islamia College parents of martyrs, faculty members of the university and students and administrative offices would pay homage to the victims of the tragedy.

The city has been decorated with banners carrying portraits of the martyr students. Such banners can be seen on all routes of the provincial capital.