Khan landed in Pakistan
on Wednesday and promised to help rebuild the school in Peshawar where
132 children were killed by the Taliban in the country's deadliest-ever
terror attack.
The British boxer, who
has Pakistani roots, announced his intention set up boxing academies for
youngsters in the country, while the sale of his $45,000 shorts will
help to rebuild the school.
"What has taken place in Peshawar is absolutely horrific and sickening," the WBC welterweight world champion told a news conference in Islamabad.
"After recently becoming a father myself, I can't imagine how the families of these innocent children are feeling."
"The main reason I came
to Pakistan was to show the world that Pakistan is a safe place, and
it's a place I love coming to and you know, we want to all fight against
terrorism."
Gunmen stormed the army-run school in the city of Peshawar, which is in the north west of the country, earlier this month.
Khan, 28, announced his intention to help rebuild the school following his successful title defense against Devon Alexander in Las Vegas earlier this month.
He became a father last May when his daughter Lamysa was born and wants to help the survivors following the tragic event.
Speaking to British media ahead of the trip to Pakistan, Khan revealed the timing of his trip was vitally important.
"Talking about this
stuff could be threatening for me, but I just want to speak the truth
and tell people what is happening is wrong," he said.
"I think it's more
important now than ever to go over there. I think it will send a
statement to a lot of people that Amir Khan is going there to make a
difference.
"I want it to be a better country. It's just a shame -- I cannot believe how sick some people are."
Pakistan has seen plenty of violence,
much of it involving militants based in provinces such as South
Waziristan, North Waziristan and the Khyber Agency -- all restive
regions in northwest Pakistan near Peshawar along its border with
Afghanistan.
Peshawar schools reopen after massacre
Gruesome look inside attacked school
Images inside Pakistan school attack
It is the home base of
the TTP, an organization that has sought to force its conservative
version of Islam in Pakistan. The group has battled Pakistani troops
and, on a number of occasions, attacked civilians as well.
Peshawar, an ancient city of more than three million people tucked right up against the Khyber Pass,
has often found itself in the center of it all. Militants repeatedly
targeted the city in response to Pakistani military offensives, like a
2009 truck bombing of a popular marketplace frequented by women and
children that killed more than 100 people.
And the Taliban hasn't
hesitated to go after schoolchildren. Their most notable target is
Malala Yousafzai, who was singled out and shot on October 9, 2012 as she
rode to school in a van with other girls. The teenage girl survived
and, this year, became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize
for her efforts to promote education and girls' rights in Pakistan and
beyond.
Yousafzai was
"heartbroken by this (latest) senseless and cold blooded act of terror
in Peshawar," saying that "innocent children in their school have no
place in horror such as this."
"I call upon the
international community, leaders in Pakistan, all political parties --
everyone -- (to) stand up together and fight against terrorism," the
16-year-old added in another statement. "And we should make sure that
every child gets a safe and quality education."
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