7.13pm: Pakistani expats, diplomats and businessmen have spoken out against the Peshawar attack in unprecedentedly strong terms.
They said the Taliban attackers who killed 132 children and nine adults during a raid on a school in Peshawar “were not even human”.
According to Pakistanis who spoke to Gulf News on Wednesday, the gunmen should be “disowned” from being considered human, “let alone called Muslims or Pakistanis”.
6pm: Pakistan citizens in Dubai are paying tribute to those who died in Tuesday's attack in Peshawar. They have gathered at the Dubai consulate for prayers of remebrance.
Dubai residents at the Dubai consulate for a tribute to the Peshawar schoolchildren who died on Tuesday. Picture by Virendra Saklani.
5.30pm: Naeem adds: "It's 6.30pm here and I am at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Peshawar right now. Many people from the civil society are visiting the affected and injured children of the Army Public School. Ma.
Saima Umer, executive member of women Chamber of Commerce, Peshawar, visiting the victims of the terror attack admitted at Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar. Picture: Naeem Jhan.
"Saima Omer, executive member of women Chamber of Commerce, Peshawar is visiting the injured along with the Provincial Youth Assembly members at CMH, Peshawar. Many families are here, waiting for their visit, CMH staff are co-operating with the guest visitors."
5.25pm: Naeem Khan in Peshawar spoke to student Empower the Nation member Shafaq Niaz, who said: “I deeply condole with the students and teachers of APSAC School, Peshawar, in this moment of sorrow and anxiety. I highly condemn this cowardly act of terrorism and pray for the departed souls. Let’s join hands together and take a stand to eradicate this nonsense from our society.”
Saima Umer, President of non-profit organisation Empower the Nation’, speaks to the media about Wednesday's event.
Another member of the organisation, Kiran Rahman said: “This is such a sad day for Pakistan, my heart goes out to the families of the victims. Innocent children are being slaughtered today. Please pray for them, and their families. It is a black day in the history of the nation.”
5pm: Gulf News reporter Faisal Masudi is at gathering for funeral prayer at the Pakistani consulate in Dubai.
"Children lay flowers and hold candles in vigil for victims of Peshawar bloodbath," reports Faisal.
"Earlier, during the funeral prayer, silence was broken by sobs and sound of passing ambulance brought on eerie mood of urgency.
Young people in Dubai hold candles for those who died in Peshawar on Tuesday. Picture by Virendra Saklani
"Roughly 100 people have already lined up, with few more expected soon. most people speaking above a whisper, discussing the attack and latest developments back home.
"Pakistan consul general addresses gathering after funeral prayer, saying perpetrators will not be spared. He calls for all Pakistanis to pull together against menace of violence.
"Around 30 women, some in tears, wait for turn to place a candle near wreath in memory of the fallen. Phones are out in high numbers to take pictures."
3:27pm: Non-profit organisation Empower the Nation is holding an event on Wednesday at the Deans Trade Centre in Peshawar.
A memorial event hosted by non-profit organisation Empower the Nation at the Deans Trade Centre in Peshawar.
The event is in memory of the martyrs of Tuesday’s Taliban attacks on the Army Public School in Peshawar.
Members of the organisation lit candles and offered prayers for the victims. A protester, Najam, said: “This was a grave accident for our nation, hundreds of innocent children have been killed for no fault of theirs. Terrorists must be wiped out from this land.”
Sadaqat Ullah, President of the Deans Trade Centre, Alhter Hamid, the chairman, and Muhammad Junaid, the director, were present to offer prayers and express their sorrow. They said that they were deeply grieved by the attack on the school and wished for peace and unity in the land.
Women mourn their relative Mohammad Ali Khan, 15, a student who was killed during an attack by Taliban gunmen on the Army Public School, at his house in Peshawar on December 16, 2014.
1:09pm: Naeem Khan, blogger, writer and youth activist, reporting from Peshawar: "Everywhere silence prevails; people mourning the deaths in Peshawar city. Roads are empty, markets are closed and people are in grief. There is a feeling of uncertainty.
People attend an event in memory of the martyrs of Tuesday’s Taliban attacks on the Army Public School in Peshawar, at the Deans Trade Centre in Peshawar.
"Government officials will offer funeral prayers at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat today. The prime minister and other high level officials are expected to participate in the funeral prayer in remembrance of Tuesday's martyrs of Army Public School in Peshawar.
"An All Parties Conference (APC) is in progress here at Peshawar under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the current security situation in the country. Imran Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek Insaf, is also participating in the APC."
