The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday asked the Attorney General (AGP) to look into grievances of the parents of children martyred in the attack on the Army Public School (APS) on December 16, 2014.
A two-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, took suo motu notice of the complaints by the parents. The court directed the AGP to provide updates about the steps taken by the government to address their grievances at the next hearing in two weeks.
A large group of parents of martyred APS students travelled to Islamabad from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the hearing, however only 15 mothers were allowed inside the courtroom; the rest were asked to wait outside.
During the hearing, the chief justice said a number of women had submitted petitions seeking accountability of civilian and military officials who they believed were responsible for security measures at the school.
When parents insisted on registration of an FIR, Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel remarked that those who attacked the school were killed in an operation and some were arrested and sentenced to death.
However, the parents argued that there had been no accountability of those responsible for ensuring security.
Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed assured them of the court’s assistance in their efforts for acceptance of their demands.
“The AG has been put on notice on the complaints and asked to take action, as required by the law, and if those who have been named are found guilty of negligence in the performance of their duties, necessary measures should be taken,” an order dictated by the Chief Justice said.
Talking to newsmen outside the courtroom, a group of mothers said, “We don’t want any compensation. We only want action against those responsible for the APS tragedy.”
