On the solemn occasion of the 10th anniversary of the devastating Army Public School (APS) Peshawar attack, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for collective efforts to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan.
A decade has passed since six militants from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stormed the school on December 16, 2014, resulting in the martyrdom of 150 individuals, including students and teachers. The massacre sent shockwaves across the nation and re-energized Pakistan’s resolve to combat terrorism.
President Zardari, paying tribute to the innocent lives lost, urged national unity and intensified efforts to eradicate terrorism and extremism. “Incidents like APS expose the real face of terrorists and Khawarij,” he said, emphasizing the importance of defeating their agenda of chaos and anarchy. He extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and stressed that the day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made in the war against terrorism.
“We pay tribute to the brave soldiers, security organizations, and citizens who laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism. The sacrifices of our children, leaders, and citizens will not go in vain,” the president added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also reflected on the grief that continues to weigh heavily on the nation. “We are shedding tears of blood,” he remarked, expressing the irreplaceable loss suffered by the families of the victims.
Highlighting the importance of creating a secure and peaceful country, the premier pledged to ensure no child faces such horrors again. “We owe it to the martyrs and their families to make a collective pledge that their sacrifices will not be forgotten or forgiven,” he asserted.
The tragedy of APS remains a stark reminder of the importance of standing united against terrorism. As the nation mourns the innocent lives lost, it also renews its commitment to ensure that such barbarity is never repeated.
