ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari in a message on the 10th anniversary of the Army Public School (APS) attack expressed the nation’s determination to root out the remains of terrorism and extremism from Pakistan.

He said the day of December 16 reminded the nation to get united against terrorism and increase efforts to eliminate this menace.

On this day in 2014, terrorists attacked the future of the nation. They mercilessly killed citizens, including children, he said, adding the terrorists showed their animosity towards public by attacking teachers and children.

Attack on the children was cruel and against humanity, he said.

President says APS tragedy reminds us to unite against those spreading chaos, anarchy; PM says citizens standing firm against terrorism

President Zardari said the tragedy of APS made it clear that agenda of the terrorists was to create chaos and anarchy in the country. The day left imprints on the collective memory of the nation, he added.

He said that all sympathies were with the heirs of the innocent children. This day reminded of the sacrifices of the nation in the war against terrorism, he remarked. Incidents like the APS tragedy exposed the real face of terrorists and khawarij, he said, adding that the nation would not let the terrorists succeed in their nefarious designs.

The APS tragedy united the nation against terrorism as the history was witness that Pakistani nation did not lose courage in the face of tragedies, he stressed.

He said the political leadership of Pakistan also sacrificed in the war against terrorism.

“Today, we pay tribute to the brave soldiers, security organisations and citizens for their sacrifices against terrorism. We will not let go in vain the sacrifices of our children, leaders and the citizens.”

However, he added, “the international community have to make collective efforts to eradicate terrorism.”

In his message on the anniversary of tragedy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the whole nation was standing as a wall of fortified steel against the coward terrorists would not forget the attack on APS, Peshawar in 2014.

He said 10 years had passed since the unforgettable tragedy and loss of lives at APS and “our heart is still in grief and we are shedding tears of blood”.

It was a tragic event that brought grief to our hearts, Mr Sharif remembered.

On Dec 16, 2014 coward, cruel and barbaric terrorists entered APS and while causing death and destruction took away the lives of many innocent children, he said.

Their lives, dreams, hopes and future were taken away from them, he said adding, “We cannot forget the loss of these children despite the passage of all this time.”

The prime minister said the children faced unprecedented barbarism and cruelty and embraced martyrdom.

The pain of the families and parents whose loved ones and children were taken away from them, could not be mitigated, he added.

He said the nation should keep in mind that the fitna of terrorists and anti-state elements had nothing to do with religion or social values.

The terrorists targeted innocent Pakistanis to achieve goals at the behest of enemies of the country, he added.

He said the whole nation saluted the bravery of the teachers and children and pay tribute to the courage of the security forces personnel, who were tackling the anti-state elements with steadfastness and determination.

“Let us reiterate our determination to create a peaceful and secure country where no innocent faces any barbarity and cruelty and no child goes to school in fear and all perpetrators are given exemplary punishment for their crimes.”

“We have to make a collective pledge and we owe it to the martyrs and affectees of this tragedy that their sacrifices will not be in vain. We will not forget and we will not forgive. Pakistan Paindabad,” the prime minister said.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2024