The day reminds the nation to remain united against terrorism –PM
Tariq Saeed Peshawar
The nation on Friday celebrated eighth anniversary of the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar carnage amid resolve to defeat the terrorism at all costs.
Glowing tributes were paid to the martyrs and ghazis of Army Public School and College at APS Warsak Road in Peshawar, that was bathed in blood eight years back, and other parts of the country as the nation remembered the heroes and mourned the deadliest ever terrorist attack amid resolve to defeat the terrorism.
On this day, exactly eight 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.
In fact the incident had brought the government and political parties on the same page as they 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.
Even today the memories of the tragic and haunting incident are still fresh in the minds of the people as today marks the eighth anniversary of the tragedy.
Politicians and other well-known personalities remembered the martyrs of the tragic day, recalling the incident that struck Peshawar on December 16, 2014. Special ceremonies were 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 Friday. 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 was held by the civil society and at educational institutions for the Shaheeds of the APS massacre.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, taking to Twitter, said today is the day to pay tribute to the martyrs of APS and share the grief of their families.
“The Pakistani nation will never forget the sacrifices of its martyrs,” wrote the premier. “December 16 is the day for the whole of Pakistan to be united against terrorism. This struggle of ours is going on, which will continue with the same iron will and perseverance until the complete elimination of evil,” he added.
Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said that December 16 is the day that the nation will never forget when one of the most horrific acts of terrorism in our history happened — the attack on innocent children of APS Peshawar and their teachers. “It is also the day when we came together as a nation and resolved to take on and defeat terrorism,” he added. Imran tweeted.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the APS tragedy is one the saddest events in the country’s history when terrorists attacked innocent and young children and martyred them. “The wound is still fresh even after eight years. The martyrs showed the entire nation a way to unite against terrorism and religious extremism,” he added. PTI Secretary General Asad Umar said that the worst tragedy in the history of Pakistan took place on December 16.
