RAWALPINDI:
Special commemorative events were held in government and private schools across Rawalpindi to commemorate the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar tragedy on Tuesday.
Early in the morning, school assemblies held a minute’s silence to honor the 147 children who lost their lives in the horrific attack. Teachers highlighted the incident and delivered detailed briefings to students about the atrocity.
Parents anxiously waited for their children at home, unaware that their young had been martyred. The APS tragedy created a somber mood across schools. Students paid tribute by lighting candles and presenting tableaus reflecting the events of that fateful day. The emotional displays brought tears to many parents’ eyes. Large schools also held Guards of Honor in memory of the martyred children.
Parents, teachers and students collectively demanded that the real perpetrators of the APS attack be brought to justice and punished appropriately. The tragedy remains etched in the hearts of students and parents alike.
Under the auspices of the Education Department, the biggest APS commemorative event was held at Government Muslim Higher Secondary School No. 1, Rawalpindi. The ceremony aimed to pay tribute to the innocent children and teachers who lost their lives and to pray for their spiritual upliftment.
The special guest of honour, Ziaullah Shah, Member of Punjab Provincial Assembly, along with officials, teachers, students and local dignitaries participated in the event.
Tariq Mehmood, Chief Executive Officer of District Education Authority Rawalpindi, in his speech said that the entire nation has made great sacrifices against terrorism. He added that the sacrifices of the APS martyrs will never be forgotten. Their martyrdom united the nation and strengthened its will to stand together against enemies. He praised the sacrifices of the Pakistan Armed Forces and security agencies and noted that their efforts have established an environment of peace and stability in the country.
The special guest also paid tribute to the APS martyrs, describing the tragedy as a deep wound on the heart of the nation while stressing that the sacrifices of these children have built a strong wall of resilience against terrorism.
The event concluded with collective prayers for the APS martyrs seeking elevation of their ranks, patience and solace for their families and peace and prosperity for Pakistan.
Policy implementation is encouraged
Speaking at a roundtable discussion on Pakistan’s evolving counter-terrorism response and the challenges of cross-border terrorism, organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) on the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Army Public School (APS), participants discussed the need for effective implementation of national security policies and the development of a sustained counter-terrorism response.
The heinous attack had claimed the lives of 147 innocent students and teachers on December 16, 2014 and remains the bloodiest and most painful in the history of the country when six terrorists wearing military uniforms entered the school premises and fired indiscriminately at students, teachers and staff.
At least 147 people, including 122 students, embraced martyrdom, while the school’s principal, Tahira Qazi, and teacher Sofia Hijab were also martyred in the attack. President Asif Ali Zardari, in a statement issued on the 11th anniversary of the tragedy, said Pakistan’s commitment to defeat terrorism was absolute and reiterated that there could be no soft corner for terrorists or those who supported, financed, protected or justified them.
“There can be no negotiations with those who raise arms against the state or target our children,” Pakistan’s president said as he commemorated the martyrs on the 11th anniversary of the incident. He said the memory of the APS martyrs strengthened their resolve.
