APS tragedy ‘strengthened nation’s resolve against terror’

Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Saturday said Pakistan’s determination against terrorism has been strengthened by the Army Public School (APS) tragedy.

In a message on the 9th anniversary of the APS attack, the caretaker prime minister said that the enemy had unsuccessfully tried to undermine the morale of the nation as Pakistan fought a war against terrorism. "It was a tragedy that moistened the eyes of the whole world."

Read Pakistan unbowed to terror nine years after APS

On Dec 16, 2014, more than 140 students as well as teachers were martyred in an attack on the school. Kakar stated that the country’s sympathies lied with the parents of the children who were martyred in the catastrophe.

"Principal Army Public School Shaheed Tahira Qazi and other teachers stood in front of these beasts as a rock wall to protect their students, and sacrificed their lives."

Lauding Tahira and Aitzaz Hasan, the premier said a nation where such brave individuals existed could never be defeated.
Aitzaz Hasan was a Pakistani student who died on Jan 6, 2014 while preventing a suicide bomber from entering a school at Hangu village. More than 2,000 students were attending classes at the time of the incident.

Read more Remembering Dec 16

The PM further maintained that the country had won the war on terror, thwarting the schemes of the enemy to spread chaos in the country. He stated that the entire country was proud of its martyrs and their families.

The interim premier added that the nation, though saddened by the tragedy and its memory, was now stronger than ever and united against the menace of terrorism. "The Pakistani nation stands by its security forces until all the miscreants are brought to justice."
Kakar also paid tribute to the country's security forces who continued to battle the terrorists. He stated that it was a clear message to terrorists that the nation was united.