Tariq Saeed
Peshawar
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said December 16, 2014 was the black day in the history of the country that was shaken by the massacre of innocent souls by the terrorists at Army Public School Peshawar but at the same time the incident has also united the nation in the fight against terrorism. On this day, exactly six years back the heartless terrorists, it may be recalled, had On December 16 -2014 carried out one of the most horrific attacks in the history of Pakistan and massacred 150 people including 135 innocent school children in Army Public School Peshawar sending a wave of shock and resentment not only in Pakistan but the entire world as the incident drew condemnation worldwide.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of a Cardiology institute in the provincial metropolis on Wednesday the premier said that after the gruesome attack that killed hundreds of children, the nation decided to combat terrorism together. “After the APS attack in 2014, our people had decided to fight the war against terrorism together and now you can see that the law-and-order situation of the country is completely different”. The Premier said
In fact the incident had brought the government and political parties on the same page as they had expressed a renewed resolve to fight terrorism in the country during All Parties Conference convened in Peshawar the very next day of the APS tragedy and a comprehensive National Action Plan (NAP) was announced to effectively deal with the terrorism.
Special ceremonies was held in Peshawar and other parts of the country to pay tribute to the martyrs and Ghazis of Army Public school and college (APSAC) Warsak road and express complete solidarity with their loved ones, on Wednesday. Army, Civil high ups as well as the families of the martyrs and people from various walks of society laid floral wreath at the martyrs’ monument and offered Fateha for the departed souls. Quran Khawani were held by the civil society and at educational institutions for the Shaheeds of the APS massacre.
Likewise ceremonies were held in different parts of the countries especially at various schools where the participant paid tributes to the APS martyrs and expressed resolve to defeat terrorism. The Prime Minister besides inaugurating the cardiology institute on Wednesday, inaugurated an ICC-standard cricket stadium in Hayatabad Sports Complex, Peshawar. Congratulating the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mehmood Khan on the completion of the institute despite having limited funds and resources, the prime minister said that
Felicitating the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on completion of the construction work of the institute, he said the area previously had no cardiac hospital. He said the government built the facility in with limited resources amid the pandemic adding the absence of a heart hospital in the province until now was an injustice to people. “It seems people from Afghanistan will come here for treatment given better healthcare facilities being provided in the province”. The Prime Minister said.
PM Khan lauded the provincial government’s Health Cards initiative and said the government’s decision to roll out health cards for the impoverished segment of society will produce long-term benefits. “Nothing can be more beneficial for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa than the facilities provided under the health card. The whole household goes below the poverty line if there is a disease outbreak in the family” Imran observed.
