APS survivor tops GCSE exams

Nawaz's results bring him closer to his dream of attending Oxford University

A survivor of the 2014 Army Public School (APS) attack, Ahmad Nawaz, topped his GSCE exams with flying colours and scored straight A's.

The student announced his result in a tweet and said he achieved six A*'s and two A's in his eight GCSE exams. "This is a big success for me and takes me many steps closer to my admission in Oxford Uni," said Nawaz.

My International GCSE exam result just came out and I am very proud to announce that I got
“ 6A*s & 2As “ in my All eight(8) exams
Thanks to my parents and all of you for supporting me.
This is a big success for me and takes me many steps closer to my admission in Oxford Uni. pic.twitter.com/mDkw6ONdnD

— Ahmad Nawaz (@Ahmadnawazaps) August 23, 2018

Major General Asif Ghafoor also congratulated the boy on his results in a tweet.

"You made us all proud and defeated evil forces through your courage, determination and power of education. Good luck in your future pursuits. Stay blessed," said the director general of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Congrats and well done dear @Ahmadnawazaps. You made us all proud and defeated evil forces through your courage, determination and power of education. Good luck for your future pursuits. Stay blessed. https://t.co/p2Ar0hkeg6

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 23, 2018

Nawaz lost his younger brother Haris in the 2014 attack and sustained serious injuries himself and was transferred to a United Kingdom hospital for medical treatment.



In 2017, The Express Tribune interviewed Nawaz. After the attack, the young survivor said his world turned upside down and his perception of life changed. “I used to play with friends back then but now my aim is to spread education in Pakistan. I want to raise my voice for education in Pakistan.”

That traumatic day pushed Nawaz to work for making a change in the lives of those who have suffered like him at the hands of terrorists. He speaks about his experiences on different forums and plans to move back to Pakistan after completing his education.

He started a campaign when he heard that a number of students from the UK were travelling to Iraq and Syria for terrorist activities. “I started giving speeches to children, helping them understand that terrorism has a massive effect on families like mine.”



The initiative led to his meeting with British PM Theresa May, who commended his bravery and the campaign he is a part of. The young survivor met Nobel Laureate Malala Yousufzai, another champion of education in 2015, who appreciated his campaign and encouraged him to keep working.

“My message to all Pakistanis is to educate your children… I’d humbly request the youth to invest in the country’s development…you are the torch bearers of future.”