Peshwar school attack: KP schools will be named after victims, says CM Pervez Khattak

Peshawar: State-run educational institutions in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be named after children killed in the Taliban's deadly assault on an army-run school in Peshawar last week, the provincial government has said.

"The government schools and colleges will be named after the deceased schoolchildren in the areas they belong to," said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak.

Khattak announced the decision during an event at the provincial assembly yesterday to mourn the victims of the December 16 attak on Army Public School by Taliban militants.

The event was attended by treasury and opposition lawmakers and staff members of the assembly, Dawn reported on Wednesday.

At least 148 people, mostly children, were killed in the most horrible attack in Pakistan's history.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) claimed the attack as a retaliation for the ongoing military operation in the north of the country, close to the Afghan border.

The chief minister said his government has formally requested the federal authorities to reduce the December 2015 deadline for repatriation of Afghan nationals staying in Pakistan.

He said the Afghan refugees should be sent home without delay. Later Khattak, along with Cabinet members and assembly Speaker, attended a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Peshawar massacre.

Also in the day, employees and students of the University of Peshawar offered prayers for the victims. They declared the attack an attempt to destroy Pakistan's future and said the nation stood united against terrorists.