Remember Peshawar: One month to December 16

Published January 16, 2015
A student looks out from a vehicle on his way home outside the Army Public School. — AP
A student looks out from a vehicle on his way home outside the Army Public School. — AP

They say death is not the greatest loss, the greatest loss is what dies inside one while they live. How does a nation reconcile the loss of 150 people — more than 132 schoolchildren — to one of the most dastardly attacks ever? Maybe some people will reconcile and some won't.

Take a look: 2014: The Year of the Children


To commemorate the victims of the school carnage, human chains were formed in Pakistan's major cities today.



Talha Munir Paracha, a boy who survived the Peshawar school attack, posted two juxtaposed images on his Facebook page. One picture features himself and three friends in the Army Public School's green uniform.

The other picture, shot in the same location, shows him and a friend, but empty spaces allude to the others killed in the brutal Taliban massacre.

Photo courtesy: Facebook
Photo courtesy: Facebook

Crucial decisions were taken by the country's political leadership in the wake of the attack which are still being heatedly debated upon, including the lifting of the moratorium on the death penalty and the establishment of military courts in the country.

Examine: A sad day

Unflinching in the face of terror, students returned to the Army Public School which saw its re-opening on January 12.

Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif welcomes students at the Army Public School which reopened on Jan 12. — AFP
Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif welcomes students at the Army Public School which reopened on Jan 12. — AFP

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's visit to the APS on Jan 14 was viewed with disdain by parents of the victims who assailed him for getting married while they were grieving over their deceased children.

Explore: 'Go Imran Go' chants as PTI Chairman visits Army Public School

A mother carries a picture of her son who was killed in the Peshawar school attack. — AP
A mother carries a picture of her son who was killed in the Peshawar school attack. — AP

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) also released a moving musical tribute to honour the victims.

With a young child’s voice lending melody to the lyrics, the song which was released on January 12 conveys a message from a slain child to extremists in response to the massacre.

The message is one of conviction and resilience; that the children cannot be frightened anymore.


One month on, the tragedy remains fresh in people's minds:

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