In his message on the 8th anniversary of terrorist attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar in which 141 people including 132 children were killed, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Dec 16 renews the spirit among all Pakistanis that they are united against terrorism. He said this day is a message to the whole world that Pakistan has made great sacrifices to wipe out terrorism and this struggle is still going on till the eradication of this menace, reported 24NewsHd TV channel.
Taking to his twitter handle, Prime Minister Shehbaz wrote: “Every year, 16th December reminds the entire nation of the pain and sorrow when the terrorists wrote a tale of atrocities in the APS Peshawar. Even after passage of several years, the grief cannot be forgotten. Today is the day to pay tribute to the martyrs of the APS and share the grief of their families. The Pakistani nation will never forget the sacrifices of its martyrs.
“The December 16 is the day for the whole of Pakistan to be united against terrorism. This day is a message to the whole world that Pakistan has made great sacrifices to eradicate terrorism. This struggle of ours is going on, which will continue with the same iron will and perseverance until the complete elimination of this menace.”
On 16 December 2014, a group of seven heavily armed terrorists attacked an army-run school in Peshawar and killed 144 innocent people including school children and teachers. The terrorists began their attack in mid-morning when they accessed the large compound by scaling a wall.
Entering the main assembly hall, they opened indiscriminate fire. The attackers, who were armed with grenades and automatic rifles, then went to the classrooms, where they concentrated their fire on teachers and older children. According to official sources, they sought only to kill and made no attempt to take hostages.
President Alvi says terrorism common problem of humanity
On the APS attack anniversary, President Dr Arif Alvi said the tragic memory of the gruesome attack is still fresh in the hearts of the nation, which will never forget the sacrifices of the martyred children.
“December 16 will always be a reminder of the great sacrifices of the martyrs of the Army Public School,” he said in his statement.
President Alvi recalled that the militants committed extreme barbarity by targeting innocent young children in 2014.
He said the APS tragedy brought the nation together to get united for a decisive war against terrorism.
He said the entire nation was firm in finally eradicating the remnants of terrorism and expressed the commitment that no attempt could weaken the resolve against this fight.
The president prayed for the elevation of ranks of the martyrs of Army Public School.
He said the day was also a reminder to the international community that terrorism was a common problem of humanity and required intensified efforts for its eradication at the global level.
Bilawal says APS tragedy very sad event in our history
On the 8th anniversary of Army Public School Peshawar tragedy, PPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari paid homage to the innocent martyrs and their brave teachers.
He said that we have not forgotten the tender and young souls that we had lost in the APS tragedy while reiterating that we are not oblivious to our responsibility.
He said that the humanity will always be ashamed of the APS tragedy. It is another very sad event in our history, Bilawal added.
The foreign minister also made a pledge that the government will have a zero tolerance against those who impose their agenda under the guise of religion.
Bilawal expressed his heartfelt sympathy and solidarity with the families of the martyrs and offered prayers for the elevation of the ranks of martyrs.