Glowing tribute paid to APS martyrs
Remembrance ceremonies held across country
Photo: File
PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD:
The nation on Saturday observed the third anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar and paid homage to the 150 people, including 132 schoolchildren, at solemn ceremonies held in big and small cities and towns up and down the country.
Parents and other relatives of the victims, the country’s civil and military leadership, politicians, activists, religious personalities and civil society members attended the ceremonies.
On December 16, 2014, terrorists had stormed the APS and killed around 150 people, including 132 schoolchildren. The tragic incident had led to the formation of the National Action Plan against terrorism.
A simple but graceful ceremony was held at the Army Public School. Corp Commander Peshawar Nazir Bhutt was the chief guest on the occasion. Quran Khwani was arranged for the martyrs, which was attended by army officers, parents and students and their families.
Flowers were placed at the memorial of the students constructed inside the school and prayers were offered at the memorial. The way to the memorial was decorated with pictures of the martyred students.
The parents walking on the way were in tears, especially the mothers.
APS strengthened survivor’s resolve to defeat terror
“Three years have passed but each year December 16 re-opens those wounds,” Tahir Khan, father of a martyr, said.
“We pray terrorism is eliminated from our beloved country so that our coming generations could live in a peace,” added Altaf Hussain, whose daughter Khaula was martyred in the attack.
Speaking after the Quran Khawani, the Corp Commander assured the parents of his full support.
“We have been assured that all our problems would be solved on a priority basis and this is a good thing,” Tahir Khan said.
In Islamabad, students and faculty members of the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) planted fruit trees, one for each martyr, on the campus. Assistant Attorney General Azhar Hussain, who was seriously injured in a Taliban attack on district courts in Islamabad in 2014, was the chief guest.
In Sindh, the anniversary was observed with candlelight vigils and rallies. Major events were held in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Larkana and Benazirabad districts to remember the APS martyrs.
The martyrs were also remembered at the educational institutions across Punjab. Also a weeklong campaign to pay homage to the martyrs and a peace seminar were launched at selected universities by the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC).
APS, trauma, and the scars that never heal
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that after the tragedy, the political parties and the Pakistan Army confronted the threat collectively with the support of the nation and defeated it. He said the law and order situation in the country had improved manifold. “Now, everyone feels secure. Our hard work and sacrifices have paid off in the shape of peace in the country,” he added.
Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Asif Ghafoor posted a message from Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Twitter, in which the army chief said the sacrifice of APS martyrs had not gone in vain.
Maj Gen Ghafoor said the army chief remembered the young APS martyrs and the sacrifices they made for the country. “It symbolises our undeterred resolve in love of our motherland. Your sacrifice has not gone in vain, we owe this improving peace to you,” the COAS added.
In his message, President Mamnoon Hussain said the nation would always remember the martyrs of APS tragedy as they had united the nation with their sacrifice. Praying for the martyrs, the president said the whole nation recognised the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army and other security forces in their successes against terrorism.
ATI attack brings back horrific memories
Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said that remembrance of the APS martyrs would continue to strengthen the resolve of the nation till the last terrorist was eliminated. “The tragedy has galvanised the people to stand united against terrorists, and the innocent martyrs will always remain in the heart of the nation.”
In a tweet, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the students’ sacrifice awakened the conscience of the entire nation. He said he sees his own mother in every mother whose children were martyred three years ago.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM) Convener Farooq Sattar called the tragedy a ‘black day’ in the history of Pakistan. “Today is the day of martyrs whether they are APS students or victims of Dhaka and Qasba Aligarh,” he said, adding that all of these incidents took place on December 16.
(With additional input from APP)
The nation on Saturday observed the third anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar and paid homage to the 150 people, including 132 schoolchildren, at solemn ceremonies held in big and small cities and towns up and down the country.
Parents and other relatives of the victims, the country’s civil and military leadership, politicians, activists, religious personalities and civil society members attended the ceremonies.
On December 16, 2014, terrorists had stormed the APS and killed around 150 people, including 132 schoolchildren. The tragic incident had led to the formation of the National Action Plan against terrorism.
A simple but graceful ceremony was held at the Army Public School. Corp Commander Peshawar Nazir Bhutt was the chief guest on the occasion. Quran Khwani was arranged for the martyrs, which was attended by army officers, parents and students and their families.
Flowers were placed at the memorial of the students constructed inside the school and prayers were offered at the memorial. The way to the memorial was decorated with pictures of the martyred students.
The parents walking on the way were in tears, especially the mothers.
APS strengthened survivor’s resolve to defeat terror
“Three years have passed but each year December 16 re-opens those wounds,” Tahir Khan, father of a martyr, said.
“We pray terrorism is eliminated from our beloved country so that our coming generations could live in a peace,” added Altaf Hussain, whose daughter Khaula was martyred in the attack.
Speaking after the Quran Khawani, the Corp Commander assured the parents of his full support.
“We have been assured that all our problems would be solved on a priority basis and this is a good thing,” Tahir Khan said.
In Islamabad, students and faculty members of the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) planted fruit trees, one for each martyr, on the campus. Assistant Attorney General Azhar Hussain, who was seriously injured in a Taliban attack on district courts in Islamabad in 2014, was the chief guest.
In Sindh, the anniversary was observed with candlelight vigils and rallies. Major events were held in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Larkana and Benazirabad districts to remember the APS martyrs.
The martyrs were also remembered at the educational institutions across Punjab. Also a weeklong campaign to pay homage to the martyrs and a peace seminar were launched at selected universities by the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC).
APS, trauma, and the scars that never heal
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that after the tragedy, the political parties and the Pakistan Army confronted the threat collectively with the support of the nation and defeated it. He said the law and order situation in the country had improved manifold. “Now, everyone feels secure. Our hard work and sacrifices have paid off in the shape of peace in the country,” he added.
Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Asif Ghafoor posted a message from Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Twitter, in which the army chief said the sacrifice of APS martyrs had not gone in vain.
Maj Gen Ghafoor said the army chief remembered the young APS martyrs and the sacrifices they made for the country. “It symbolises our undeterred resolve in love of our motherland. Your sacrifice has not gone in vain, we owe this improving peace to you,” the COAS added.
In his message, President Mamnoon Hussain said the nation would always remember the martyrs of APS tragedy as they had united the nation with their sacrifice. Praying for the martyrs, the president said the whole nation recognised the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army and other security forces in their successes against terrorism.
ATI attack brings back horrific memories
Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said that remembrance of the APS martyrs would continue to strengthen the resolve of the nation till the last terrorist was eliminated. “The tragedy has galvanised the people to stand united against terrorists, and the innocent martyrs will always remain in the heart of the nation.”
In a tweet, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the students’ sacrifice awakened the conscience of the entire nation. He said he sees his own mother in every mother whose children were martyred three years ago.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM) Convener Farooq Sattar called the tragedy a ‘black day’ in the history of Pakistan. “Today is the day of martyrs whether they are APS students or victims of Dhaka and Qasba Aligarh,” he said, adding that all of these incidents took place on December 16.
(With additional input from APP)