President Zardari, PM Shehbaz vow to end terrorism as nation marks decade since APS tragedy

• No child should ever again face such cruelty, says PM Shehbaz.
• KP CM says incident united govt, institutions against mutual enemy.
• PPP chair Bilawal calls upon govts to ensure implementation of NAP.

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE: With a resolve to eradicate the menace of terrorism, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the militant attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar, as the nation observed the 10th anniversary of the tragic event.

On 16 December 2014, six terrorists stormed APS and martyred nearly 150 innocent students and teachers.

President Zardari stated that this day serves as a solemn reminder for the nation to unite against terrorism and intensify efforts to eliminate this scourge.

In a message marking the 10th anniversary of the incident, he said the terrorists had attacked the future of the nation and its children on that fateful day.

“The terrorists mercilessly killed our citizens, including our children, displaying their enmity towards the public by targeting teachers and students. The attack on children was cruel and inhumane,” he remarked.

“The APS tragedy revealed that the terrorists’ agenda was to create chaos and anarchy in the country.

“The events of 16 December left an indelible mark on the collective memory of the nation,” he maintained.

President Zardari expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the innocent children, adding that the day stands as a testament to the sacrifices made by the nation in the war against terrorism.

He emphasised that incidents such as the APS tragedy exposed the true face of terrorists and Khawarij, and he vowed that the Pakistani nation would never allow them to succeed in their nefarious designs.

“The APS tragedy united the nation against terrorism. History bears witness to the resilience of the Pakistani people, who have not faltered in the face of adversity,” he stressed.

The president highlighted the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s political leadership in combating terrorism. “Today, we pay tribute to the brave soldiers, security organisations, and citizens for their sacrifices in this fight. We will not let the sacrifices of our children, leaders, and citizens go in vain,” he pledged.

He reiterated the nation’s determination to root out the remnants of terrorism and extremism from Pakistan.

“The international community must make collective efforts to eradicate terrorism,” the president concluded.

'Day of unimaginable sorrow'

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering resolve to combat terrorism as he commemorated the 10th anniversary of the devastating APS tragedy.

In his poignant remarks, he described 16 December 2014 as a day of unimaginable sorrow when cowardly terrorists attacked APS Peshawar, martyring nearly 150 individuals, most of whom were young children.

“These ruthless, inhumane terrorists caused devastation, tearing apart dreams, futures, and hopes. A decade may have passed, but the pain of losing those innocent lives remains fresh,” he said.

PM Shehbaz paid tribute to the bravery of the children and teachers who lost their lives, saluted the resilience of their families, and honoured the efforts of Pakistan’s security forces in standing firm against the nation’s enemies.

“The entire nation stands united like a solid wall against cowardly terrorists and, Insha’Allah, will continue to do so. These miscreants, acting on behalf of foreign enemies, have no connection to religion or societal values and target innocent Pakistanis for their malevolent agendas,” he stated.

The prime minister urged the nation to renew its commitment to building a peaceful and secure Pakistan. “No child should ever again face such cruelty, and no family should have to endure such a loss. It is our duty to ensure that the sacrifices made on 16 December 2014 were not in vain,” he asserted.

The APS tragedy remains one of the darkest chapters in Pakistan’s history. “We will never forget. We will never forgive,” PM Shehbaz vowed, reiterating his commitment to continuing the fight against terrorism.

Special prayers and Quran recitations are being held across the country in remembrance of the martyred students and teachers.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa education department has also arranged special events to commemorate the APS incident and its martyrs.

'Unforgettable tragedy'

On this occasion, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur described the APS attack as an unforgettable tragedy that laid the foundation for measures to secure durable peace in the country.

“The APS incident united the government and institutions against a common enemy,” he said, adding that the grief for the martyrs still resides deeply in the nation’s hearts. He saluted the courage and resolve of the families of the APS martyrs.

In a separate message, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also paid tribute to the martyrs of the APS tragedy, emphasising the nation’s resolve to combat terrorism and safeguard future generations.

Bilawal expressed profound sorrow over the barbaric attack, describing it as a tragedy that shook the nation’s conscience and united its resolve against terrorism. He lauded the resilience of the families of the victims and called for the effective implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) to prevent such incidents in the future.

He stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of radicalisation through education, economic opportunities, and social harmony.

The PPP chairman reaffirmed his party’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and promoting tolerance, education, and peace. “On this deeply painful day, let us honour the memory of the APS martyrs by renewing our pledge to fight for a Pakistan free from terrorism, where every child can dream fearlessly and achieve their potential,” he concluded.