Day reminds nation to unite against terrorism and increase efforts to eliminate this menace, says President Zardari
PESHAWAR / ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: The nation marks the 10th anniversary of APS victims today (Monday). A decade after the brutal attack on the Army Public School (APS) in the provincial capital, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is facing terrorism in most districts and peace is yet to be restored. President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the martyrs of the APS tragedy.
On the anniversary of the December 16, 2014 terrorist attack on APS, security has been beefed up in the provincial capital to prevent any untoward incident. Functions will be held in schools and other places where martyrs will be honored.
Gurhan Khawani will also be offered for martyrdom in the mosque and peace in the country. On December 16, 2014, 147 people, including 132 school students, were killed and several others were injured when they entered the APS on Warsak Road and the fire.
They opened fire, killing and injuring young students along with teachers and staff in classrooms, corridors and auditoriums.
The attack not only shocked the entire country but was condemned by people and countries around the world.
A month after the APS attack, a 20-point National Action Plan was launched to fight militancy and terrorism and restore peace in the country. The situation improved until 2021, when terrorist attacks began to increase again. Attacks on police, security forces and civilians have reportedly increased in several districts today.
After the APS attack, several schools in Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country were named after APS martyrs in their honour.
APS attack survivor Ahmad Nawaz and many other students have been campaigning for peace and education internationally since the tragedy.
Sher Shah, a class 10 student, was in the hall with his brother Ahmad Shah, a class 8 student, when terrorists attacked the hall. According to Tufail Khattak’s father, the younger generation should be inspired by Sher Shah’s sacrifice.
Many parents of APS victims have started scholarships and other initiatives for poor students in memory of the children who died in the tragedy. They have given scholarships to many students over the past few years.
Parents and other students are still working for peace in the country to ensure that no school or student is attacked and children continue to learn in a peaceful environment.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari said on December 16, 2014 that he reminded the nation to unite against terrorism and increase efforts to eradicate this menace. According to the statement issued by the Media Cell of the President’s House on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Peshawar Military Academy, President Zardari has decided to eradicate the vestiges of terrorism and extremism from Pakistan.
Zardari said on December 16, 2014 that terrorists have attacked our children and the future of our nation. “Today, terrorists kill our citizens mercilessly,” he said, adding that terrorists have attacked teachers and children and shown hostility to the community. He said the attack on the children was cruel and inhumane.
The President said that the APS tragedy clearly shows that the terrorists’ agenda is to create chaos and anarchy in the country. “December 16 left an indelible mark on the nation’s collective memory,” he said.
Zardari said that our sympathies are with the heirs of innocent children. “Today is a reminder of the nation’s sacrifice in the war against terrorism,” he said. He said that incidents like the APS tragedy have revealed the true face of terrorists and that Khawarij and the people of Pakistan will not allow terrorists to succeed in their evil plans. He said the APS tragedy has united the nation against terrorism.
“History has witnessed that the people of Pakistan do not lose their courage due to calamity,” he said. He said that Pakistan’s political leaders have also made sacrifices in the war against terrorism and said, “Today we pay tribute to the brave soldiers, security agencies and citizens for their sacrifices against terrorism. We will not ignore the sacrifices of our children, leaders and citizens,” he said.
The President concluded that the international community must work together to eradicate terrorism.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the country’s strong resolve against terrorism as he marked the 10th anniversary of the Army Public School (APS) tragedy on Sunday.
“We will not forget. We will not forgive,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who vowed to continue the fight against terrorism. In his heartfelt speech, he said December 16, 2014 was a day of unimaginable grief when cowardly terrorists attacked APS Peshaw.
