ISLAMABAD: Private schools of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad will remain closed on Thursday to condemn the killing of schoolchildren in Peshawar on Tuesday.

The announcement was made by representatives of Rawalpindi and Islamabad private schools associations here on Wednesday.

`We will observe holiday to condemn the brutal killing of schoolchildren and to express solidarity with their families,` said Dr Afzal Babur, President Private School Network, Islamabad.

`Terrorists are equipped with weapons and we are equipped with pens, which are more powerful than the weapons. We are going to close our schoolsfor one day to express solidarity with the aggrieved families and to denounce terrorism,` said Abrar Ahmed, a representative of Rawalpindi based private schools association.

All public schools will remain open on Thursday. A Reporter