LAHORE: As people from all walks of life continued coming out on roads on Thursday to condemn the killing of schoolchildren in Peshawar, the Christians announced calling off Christmas celebrations.

At a press conference, Senator Kamran Michael and provincial minister Khalil Tahir Sindhu said the minorities were deeply grieved over the martyrdom of innocent children and other people in the Peshawar tragedy and as patriotic Pakistani would never forgive those who committed the worst form of brutality.

They said there was a need for collective efforts to eliminate terrorism and transform Pakistan into a welfare state in accordance with the vision of the Quaid-i-Azam so that the future generations could live peacefully.

They said all Pakistanis should maintain unity in their ranks and point out the miscreants so that they could be taken to task. They said as Pakistani they were ready to sacrince even theirlivesforthe country. The terrorists had no religion and no conscientious person could support them, they said.

They said the minorities of the country condemn terrorism and Christmas celebrations were being postponed to express solidarity with the nation.

They said special prayers were arranged at churches and temples in the country. They said that Christmas will be celebrated with austerity on Dec 25 to give a message of love and unity with the Pakist ani nation.

Minority MPA Shakeel Ivan, Tariq Masih Gil, Mary Gil besidesSardar Akash Singh, Dr Manohar Chand, Prof Atig, Shabnam Nagi, Mehnaz, Syed Nowbahar Shah and Ulema were also present.

The students and teachers of Garrison institutions held a procession on Ghazi Road. They expressed solidarity with the families of victims and urged the armed forces to hunt down militants. Carrying banners and placards they chanted pro-army and anti-terrorists slogans.

The schoolchildren, artists and Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf`s women wing held a vigil in Tech Society and Liberty Chowk. The residents of Allama Iqbal Town, Lake City, Johar Town, Model Town, Gulshan-i-Ravi and Ravi Road held the vigil to pay homage to the sacrifices of the schoolchildren.

The management and staff of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and ResearchCentre also offered special prayers and a moment of silence for the victims.

Lahore General Hospital`s doctors, nurses and paramedics held a rally to mourn the deaths.

The participants raised slogans in support of army and expressed their solidarity and sympathy with the affected families of Peshawar carnage.

They said the nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the army. The Peshawar incident united the whole nation along with its political leadership.

They said they hoped the decision to lift moratorium on executions would break terrorists` network in the country.

Lahore General Hospital`s Prof Anjum Habib Vohra said every citizen would have to play his role to defeat terrorism so as to make the country a land ofCentre also offered special prayers and a moment of silence for the victims.

Lahore General Hospital`s doctors, nurses and paramedics held a rally to mourn the deaths.

The participants raised slogans in support of army and expressed their solidarity and sympathy with the affected families of Peshawar carnage.

They said the nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the army. The Peshawar incident united the whole nation along with its political leadership.

They said they hoped the decision to lift moratorium on executions would break terrorists` network in the country.

Lahore General Hospital`s Prof Anjum Habib Vohra said every citizen would have to play his role to defeat terrorism so as to make the country a land ofpeace.

He said every citizen saluted the army for fighting valiantly to counter terrorists through the Zarb-i-Azb.

Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq appealed to the people to observe Friday (today) as Youm-iDua to invoke Almighty Allah`s help and support against the current wave of terrorism that had created serious challenges to the country`s future.

In an appeal he said the rulers and the entire nation should seek forgiveness from Allah for their individual and collective misdeeds and pray to Him for divine help and peace.

Mr Haq said the plans announced by the rulers against terrorism remained on papers and it was high time that the government took serious steps in this direction.