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Pakistan is marking the tenth anniversary of the horrific Army Public School (APS) assault in Peshawar, which killed more than 150 people, including 132 children. On December 16th, 2014, six terrorists assaulted the school, viciously killing innocent pupils and instructors.
The brutal assault, carried out by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists, is still one of the worst terrorist strikes in the country’s history. The APS attack, which caused shockwaves throughout the globe, was intended to erode Pakistan’s commitment to combating terrorism. Despite militancy, Pakistan’s armed forces and citizens are determined to end this terrible epidemic.
Pakistan established military tribunals in response to the calamity and sentenced over 310 terrorists, many of whom were executed. The event also resulted in the implementation of substantial counterterrorism measures as part of the National Action Plan (NAP).
President Asif Ali Zardari, in his message on the 10th anniversary of the APS Peshawar tragedy, called for national unity against terrorism and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating this menace. He condemned the attack as a cruel assault on the nation’s future, targeting innocent children and teachers. “The APS tragedy revealed that the terrorists’ agenda was to create chaos and anarchy in the country,” he said, emphasizing that the horrific events of December 16, 2014, remain etched in the nation’s collective memory.
President Zardari expressed his deepest sympathies to the grieving families and praised the dedication of Pakistan’s citizens, security forces, and political leaders in the fight against terrorism. He vowed that these sacrifices would bear fruit and urged the global community to unite in the fight against terrorism worldwide.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also marked the anniversary, describing December 16, 2014, as a day of unimaginable sorrow. He paid tribute to the nearly 150 victims, most of whom were schoolchildren, and honored the resilience of their families. “The ruthless attack shattered dreams and futures, and though a decade has passed, the pain remains fresh,” he said.
PM Shehbaz reaffirmed the nation’s determination to stand united against terrorism, describing the perpetrators as agents of foreign enemies with no ties to religion or humanity. He urged the nation to renew its commitment to a peaceful and secure Pakistan, ensuring that such tragedies are never repeated. “The sacrifices of December 16 will never be forgotten or forgiven,” he vowed.
Across Pakistan, special prayers and Quran recitations were held in memory of the martyred students and teachers. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa education department also organized events to honor the martyrs and reflect on the tragedy’s enduring impact.
On this occasion, KP 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.
