APML rep denies Jamil Bugti's claims of Musharraf apology

Jamil Akbar Bugti, the son of late Nawab Akbar Bugti, while talking to the press today claimed that General Pervez Musharraf (Retired) the former President of Pakistan is seeking forgiveness for killing Nawab Akbar Bugti. Jamil Akbar Bugti said that “Pervez Musharraf (had) sent a message of apology through his lawyer,” adding that he will never forgive the murderers of his father Nawab Akbar Bugti.

When contacted by The Nation Ms. Aasia Ishaq Media Representative of All Parties Muslim League (APML) for their comments on Jamil Bugti’s statement said “He is blatantly lying regarding the apology . President Pervez Musharraf did not do anything wrong, how can he ask for an apology ? The operation was conducted by the FC; the Chief Minister Balochistan and the administration were on board. The President Pervez Musharraf did not get into the filthy business of murdering people. ” She further questioned as to “Where was Jamil Bugti all these years? He knows that Shahzain Bugti is taking the lead in Bugti tribe so he is trying to get back in the scene to gain attention; otherwise why did he not attend an of the proceedings of the Anti Terrorism Court (ATC)?”

This article was published in The Nation on 30 Dec 2015

Calligraphy artist pays unique tribute to APS victims

Amnah Siddiqui, a medical student from Karachi, has paid an unusual tribute to the Army Public School Peshawar children martyred on the 16thDecember last year by using her talent as an artist by writing the names of the 135 students on canvas in calligraphic style and including Quranic verses in the art work.

Speaking to The Nation, Amnah Siddiqui said, “This cannot bring the kids back, but not only will this bring peace to the poor families’ hearts, but it will also give them boundless satisfaction that the nation is (stands) with them in this time of ultimate chaos.”

Amnah also talked about the cost of the project and of her desire to send these pieces of art to APS Peshawar for display in a suitable location or to send the artwork to the families of the students so that each family has a piece of this to keep close to their hearts. However, the expense of transporting these from Karachi to Peshawar is something that she needs assistance with.

She said, “The whole project has been possible only due to donations through my Facebook page. I had spread the word on social media and called it the Canvas Project. People appreciated the idea and donated money for the expenditure of paints, brushes, canvases etc.Now, I need help to send these canvases to Peshawar either to the school or to the parents of the innocent souls. The cost of postage is very high which I, being a student, can’t afford on my own and need assistance with.”

When asked how she was inspired about this idea she said, “Calligraphy is my hobby and I don’t have any training in it and I practise it on my own.16 December was an incident that united the nation. For me this was the only way to make a contribution, to ease the pain of those parents. Even though it’s hard to do anything extra while studying medicine but the pain and loss of those innocent souls gave me courage to work on it.”

This commendable effort of Amnah Siddiqui’s needs the support of all and the least we can do is to contribute towards the transportation costs of these pieces either to one collection point in Peshawar from where the families may collect these or to APS Peshawar.

This article was published in The Nation on 23 Dec 2015

Another fallen hero

PESHAWAR - Some heroes are made in unlikely ways, and their life serves as a beacon for all. One such hero of the Army Public School Peshawar terrorist attack was Mrs. Tariq. She was a teacher loved by all students. With three Masters degrees to her credit and studying for an M Phil and dream to become a PhD scholar, she was an optimistic person. Her family completely supported her in pursuing her plans and on the fateful day of 16/12 she was fasting as it was her practice to do so every Tuesday. She left home early to shoulder her teaching assignments of the day. As the day progressed and her classes ran on schedule she must have heard commotion and what sounded like firing, she came towards the place where this was happening and perhaps realizing what was transpiring she went to the auditorium / hall to ensure the kids there were safe.

According to the students who talked to The Nation, they said they had lain down on the floor of the hall to pretend being hit. A terrorist who had earlier left the hall returned, and seeing her asked her where the students were hiding; on her refusal to answer, he got infuriated; she offered him her cell phone and asked him to call whoever he wanted to and tell them the students were not being found; the terrorist threw her mobile away and wrestled with her to tie her to a chair. Then he doused her with phosphorus which caught fire. Her body was totally burnt to cinder and after the siege was over and the school cleared, an unidentified charred body was taken to the hospital morgue, where after DNA and other identifications it was ascertained after three days that the dead body left unidentified till then was that of Mrs. Tariq; and it was handed over to the family.

When we talked to the APS students and others, they were not only shocked beyond belief at the callous murderous manner in which the terrorists brazenly killed the teacher, but also how they behaved with sheer disregard for humanity and human sentiments.

This article was published in The Nation on 16 Dec 2015