Islamabad (TDI): With a resolve to eradicate the menace of terrorism, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday paid glowing tributes to the martyrs of the militant attack on the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar, as the nation observed the tenth anniversary of the tragic event.
On 16 December 2014, 6 terrorists stormed APS and martyred 149 innocent students and teachers.
In his special message, President Zardari said that this day serves as a solemn reminder for the nation to unite against the menace of terrorism and intensify efforts to eliminate this scourge.
He said the terrorists had attacked the future of Pakistan and its children on that fateful day.
“The terrorists cruelly killed our people, including our children, showing their enmity towards the public by targeting students and teachers. The attack on children was inhumane and painful,” he remarked.
“The APS tragedy revealed that the khwarajis’ agenda was to create anarchy and chaos in Pakistan. “The 16 December events left an indelible mark on the nation’s collective memory,” he maintained.
Also Read: President Xi Jinping Wishes President Zardari Speedy Recovery
President Zardari extended 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 fight against terrorism.
He emphasized that incidents such as the APS attack exposed the true face of Khawarij, and he vowed that the nation would never allow them to succeed in their nefarious designs.
He underlined the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s political leadership in combating terrorism.
“Today, we pay rich tribute to the security organizations, brave soldiers, and citizens for their sacrifices in this war. We will not let the sacrifices of our leaders, children, and citizens go in vain,” he pledged.
He reiterated the determination to root out the remnants of extremism and terrorism from Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the unwavering resolve to combat the scourge of terrorism as he commemorated the tenth anniversary of the devastating APS tragedy.
In his remarks, he described 16 December 2014 as a day of unimaginable sorrow when cowardly Khawarij attacked APS, martyring 149 individuals, most of whom were young children.
“These inhumane and ruthless terrorists caused devastation, tearing apart dreams, hopes and futures. A decade may have passed, but the pain of losing those precious lives remains fresh,” he said.
Also Read: PM Shehbaz Launches Yea’s Last Anti-Polio Campaign
PM Shehbaz paid rich tribute to the bravery of the children and teachers who lost their lives, saluted the resilience of their families, and honoured the efforts of the security forces in standing firm against the nation’s enemies.
