With a firm resolve to eliminate terrorism, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday paid heartfelt tributes to the martyrs of the Army Public School (APS) attack in Peshawar, as the nation observed the 10th anniversary of the tragic event.
On December 16, 2014, six terrorists stormed the APS, killing nearly 150 innocent students and teachers.
Read more: US and UK air forces jointly strike Houthi targets in Yemen
President Zardari remarked that the day serves as a poignant reminder for the nation to unite against terrorism and strengthen efforts to eradicate this menace.
In a message marking the anniversary, he condemned the terrorists for their brutal assault on the nation’s future. “The terrorists cruelly attacked our children, targeting students and teachers in an inhumane and barbaric manner. Their aim was to sow chaos and anarchy,” he said.
Zardari expressed deep sympathy for the families of the victims, noting that the tragedy had left an indelible mark on the collective memory of the nation. He emphasized that the APS attack had revealed the true face of terrorism and vowed that Pakistan would never allow such forces to succeed.
“The APS tragedy united the nation against terrorism. History bears witness to the resilience of Pakistanis, who have stood strong in the face of adversity,” he said, paying tribute to the sacrifices of political leaders, soldiers, security agencies, and citizens.
He pledged the nation’s unwavering determination to root out the remnants of terrorism and called for collective global efforts to eliminate the threat.
‘A Day of Unimaginable Sorrow’
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also commemorated the anniversary, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to combating terrorism.
Describing December 16, 2014, as a day of profound sorrow, he said, “Cowardly terrorists attacked APS Peshawar, claiming nearly 150 lives, most of them young children. A decade may have passed, but the pain remains fresh.”
PM Shehbaz paid tribute to the courage of the students and teachers who lost their lives and saluted the resilience of their families. He also lauded the efforts of Pakistan’s security forces in standing firm against the country’s enemies.
“The nation stands united against terrorism and will remain so. These terrorists, acting on behalf of foreign enemies, have no connection to religion or humanity and target innocent Pakistanis for their malicious agendas,” he said.
Read more: UK PM calls for ‘maximum pain’ on Russia
The prime minister urged the nation to renew its commitment to creating a peaceful and secure Pakistan, ensuring that no child or family would ever again face such loss. “The sacrifices of December 16, 2014, will not be forgotten or go in vain,” he vowed.
Special Commemorations
Special prayers and Quran recitations were held across Pakistan to honor the martyrs of the APS attack. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa education department also organized events to commemorate the tragedy and pay homage to the victims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur described the APS attack as an unforgettable tragedy that spurred efforts to achieve lasting peace in Pakistan. “The APS incident united the government and institutions against a common enemy,” he said, praising the resilience of the victims’ families.
‘A National Resolve Against Terrorism’
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also paid tribute to the APS martyrs, calling the attack a tragedy that united the nation’s resolve to combat terrorism.
Bilawal expressed sorrow over the barbaric assault, emphasizing the importance of effectively implementing the National Action Plan (NAP) to prevent such incidents. He stressed the need to address the root causes of radicalization through education, economic opportunities, and social harmony.
Reaffirming his party’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and fostering tolerance and peace, he said, “On this painful day, let us honor the memory of the APS martyrs by pledging to build a Pakistan where every child can dream without fear and achieve their potential.”