As Pakistan marks a decade since the tragic attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar, the nation’s leaders have renewed their commitment to eradicating terrorism. On December 16, 2014, heavily armed militants stormed the school, taking the lives of 147 people, including 132 children, in the deadliest terror attack in the country’s history.
Security Closures
Schools in Punjab and the Islamabad Capital Territory remain closed today due to “prevailing security concerns.”
Response to the APS Attack
Following the tragedy, the government introduced the National Action Plan (NAP) in January 2015 to combat terrorism. The plan included various measures, such as trying terrorists in military courts. In 2021, the PTI government reviewed NAP to address evolving challenges.
A judicial commission report submitted to the Supreme Court in 2020 highlighted delays in the response. Still, it commended the efforts of Mobile Vigilance Team-2 (MVT) and the Quick Response Force (QRF) for preventing further devastation. The report recommended providing medical and psychological support to the victims and their families and ensuring free education for the siblings of the martyred and injured students.
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Messages From Leaders
President Asif Ali Zardari: President Zardari called for national unity against terrorism, emphasizing that the APS attack was a stark reminder of the terrorists’ intent to sow chaos and anarchy. He extended sympathies to the victims’ families and reaffirmed the nation’s determination to uproot terrorism.
“The APS tragedy showed the real face of the terrorists,” he said, adding that it united the nation against their nefarious agenda.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif: In his statement, PM Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the grief and trauma that continues to linger. He pledged to build a safer Pakistan where such incidents do not recur, stating, “We owe it to the victims to ensure their sacrifices were not in vain.”
He further noted that terrorists have no connection to religion or social values and vowed to punish perpetrators of such acts severely.
Also Read: Painful Memory: Nation Remembers The Martyrs Of APS Attack On Its 7th Anniversary
Tributes to the Martyrs
Special prayers and Quran recitations are being held nationwide for the victims. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa education department organized special functions to honor their memory.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur: CM Gandapur termed the tragedy “unforgettable,” acknowledging its role in uniting the nation against a common enemy.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz: CM Maryam Nawaz noted that the pain of the attack remains alive even after 10 years. She called the resilience of the victims’ families admirable and vowed to continue fighting terrorism to honor the martyrs.
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari emphasized implementing NAP to prevent future tragedies effectively. He called for addressing the root causes of radicalization through education and economic opportunities.
A Day of Reflection
The APS attack shook the nation’s conscience and remains one of the darkest chapters in Pakistan’s history. Today, Pakistan remembers the victims with heavy hearts and renewed determination to build a future free of fear and violence.
