KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 — The gunmen responsible for the massacre of more than 130 students in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Tuesday have been described as “worse than animals” by Pakistan High Commissioner Syed Hassan Raza.
Expressing anger and shock over the incident yesterday, he said: “Somebody who decides to carry out a horrific act against children cannot be called a human being, not even an animal.
“Even a tiger or lion would not attack a child but would only do so if provoked.”
Syed Hassan said the bloodshed had not only shocked the nation but had also raised moral and philosophical questions.
“The question could be philosophically asked ... do they have a right to live or not and we, as human beings, how should we respond?” he asked.
“I should have a moral obligation, so am I supposed to be compassionate with those who kill innocent people?”
Syed Hassan said the incident was an attack against children’s right to education.
“The children belong to everybody because they are the hope of the next generation,” he said.
“We have to be firm that anyone who comes in the way of this right will be stopped at all costs.”
He said the incident had not only affected the Pakistani community but the world as well.
“I met with my colleagues on Wednesday along with many people from the diplomatic community as well as Malaysian friends, and many of them told me they could not eat and sleep after hearing of the incident,” he said.
“We have seen explosions and gory images in the media but never have we seen children being killed in this magnitude.”
Syed Hassan said the people faced psychological trauma and insecurity.
Keeping the Pakistani community here in mind, he said: “I urge the people here to remain patient and united in adversity while focusing on their lives in Malaysia.
“Share the message of humanity with your friends here that whatever has happened in Peshawar is against our values.”
