President, PM call for national unity against terrorism on 10th anniversary of APS attack

On the 10th anniversary of the devastating Army Public School (APS) Peshawar attack, the President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised that the country must fight collectively against the menace of terrorism.

It has been a decade since the six terrorists who belonged to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stormed APS, leaving 150, including students and teachers, martyred and severely injured. 

The tragedy was not only devastating for the families but also re-energised the nation’s commitment to eliminate terrorism from the country.

President Zardari on the death anniversary of the innocent students and teachers called for unity and intensified efforts to eliminate terrorism.

He expressed determination to root out the terrorism and extremism from Pakistan as terrorists want to incite chaos and anarchy in the country. 

Extending his sympathies to the families of the deceased children, the president said that this day served as a reminder of the nation's sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

“Incidents like APS expose the real face of the terrorist and Khawarij,” President Zardari said adding that  the nation would not let the terrorists succeed in their plans.

“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 citizens.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said it was a tragic event that brought grief to our hearts. “We are shedding tears of blood,” he added.

“Despite the passage of time, we cannot forget the loss,” that took away the lives, dreams, and future hopes of the thousands by killing many innocents, said the prime minister. 

Premier stressed the need for “determination to create a peaceful and secure country where no innocent faces any barbarity and cruelty, 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 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,” the Prime Minister said.