Peshawar families carry deep scars one year after Taliban attack on school killed 134 students
Grievances over promised government support and prosecution of the culprits behind closed doors deepen the anger felt by families mourning their lost children.
Families of children killed or wounded in Pakistan’s worst militant attack accuse the local government of breaking its promises of medical treatment and justice, a year after Taliban gunmen massacred 134 students in a Peshawar school.
Victims’ relatives said they would attend the official anniversary commemoration on Wednesday, but vowed to pressure the authorities to deliver on their commitments.
The government promised it would help with medical expenses above an initial Rs400,000 grant, but only 22 of approximately 60 families who applied have received any funds, said Akbar Khan, who represents 124 families of those wounded.
“There are many children who were disfigured, or crippled, who need continuous long-term treatment,” said Khan, whose 17-year-old son Umar was shot in his left arm during the attack. “And above all, they need psychological rehabilitation.”
There are many children who were disfigured, or crippled, who need continuous long-term treatment
Muhammad Ibrahim, a provincial health official in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, of which Peshawar is the capital, said not all funds had been disbursed because of delays in families submitting receipts for the money they spent.