Parents of slain APS students reject Imran, Reham visit

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his wife Reham Khan encountered protests by angry parents outside the gates of Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar on Wednesday.

The parents of deceased students who lost their children in the APS tragedy- chanted “Go Imran Go” while holding placards rejecting Imran Khan's visit.

Protesters claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak and Asad Qaiser had hurled abuse at them.

An emotionally agitated mother said, “when Imran Khan was making false promises, I grabbed him by the collar.”

“150 students lost their lives here and nothing is being done about it,” another parent protested.

Parents said they would protest against the government after the chehlum of the martyred children. "We will definitely avenge the martyred, we do not need anyone to do that," said a parent.

The parents were overcome by anger and grief and criticised Khan for politicising the attack. “Do not pour in politics all over the blood of our children,” said an angry parent.

Once inside the school, Imran Khan was greeted by students who were eager to get his autograph. However, due to the presence of angry parents outside, Imran Khan was forced to leave the school from the rear exit.




On January 12, Imran Khan had tweeted that he along with his wife and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister were going to visit APS on the opening of the school following the attack. Imran tweeted that he was advised to postpone the visit as the COAS would be visiting the school.

Planned to be with our brave children who returned to APS today along with Reham & CM KP, but we were advised to postpone visit 1/2

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 12, 2015

2/2 as COAS was going today for what we were told was a "soft" opening of the APS. But we will be there with our brave children this week.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 12, 2015

Over 150 people including more than 132 children were killed in a Taliban attack at the Army Public School in Peshawar on December 16.