Pakistan is observing the 11th anniversary of the Army Public School attack in Peshawar one of the darkest and most painful chapters in the nation’s history.
On December 16 2014 six terrorists wearing military uniforms stormed the APS campus and opened indiscriminate fire killing 147 innocent people including 122 children teachers and staff. Among the martyrs were the school’s principal Tahira Qazi and teacher Sofia Hijab. The massacre shocked the nation and the world.
President Asif Ali Zardari in his message reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering resolve to defeat terrorism saying there can be no negotiations or leniency for those who raise arms against the state or target children. He said the memory of the APS martyrs continues to strengthen the nation’s determination and warned that terrorists their facilitators and supporters would not be spared.
The president also condemned what he described as Indian‑sponsored terrorism saying Pakistan would continue to expose hostile activities and defend its people with full resolve. He paid tribute to the security forces and intelligence agencies for preventing further tragedies.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the APS martyrs’ sacrifice is forever etched in the national conscience and serves as a constant reminder of Pakistan’s collective responsibility to eradicate terrorism. He prayed for the highest ranks in Jannat‑ul‑Firdous for the martyrs and strength for their families.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called the attack one of the most heartbreaking chapters in Pakistan’s history saying it exposed the brutal face of terrorism and reinforced the state’s final decision to eliminate all forms of extremism.
