The leaders have also advised Pakistan to review the strategy it has adopted for many years and understand why the country is facing such brutal incidents.
Politicians, media professionals and social media in Afghanistan unanimously condemned the Taliban attack on the school as barbaric, savage and inhuman.
During a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday in Kabul, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said the attack on students was an attack on Afghanistan, Muslims and humanity at large.
According to a statement issued by the Afghan presidential palace, Ghani told the Gen Sharif that Afghanistan and Pakistan need to join hands and renew their commitment to eliminate militancy and extremism.
Moreover, Afghanistan's chief executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah said such attacks prove that militants do not recognise any boundaries and can go to any extent to send their message across.
Just hours after the deadly assault, Tolo TV quoted Abdullah as saying that militants cannot benefit any area, country or government. The chief executive added he was certain the victims of terrorism feel there is no room for the ideology of either good or bad terrorists.
In condemnation
The Afghan Taliban also condemned the Peshawar attack.
The intentional killing of innocent people, women and children is against Islam and all Muslim countries and organisations must adhere to this fundamental principle, read a statement issued by the group.
Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan chief Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, also issued a statement to express his condolences to the bereaved families.
The Afghan ambassador in Pakistan during the Taliban regime, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, also criticised the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for killing innocent children in 'revenge' to operation Zarb-e-Azb and Khyber-I. In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Zaeef said if the school was attacked for revenge, it was unacceptable and cannot be justified under any pretext.
Media outcry
Strongly-worded editorials have also been carried in all major newspapers across Afghanistan condemning the TTP for the brutal act that devastated hundreds of families.
"People from Peshawar to Kabul, from Lahore to Delhi, and almost all parts of the world echoed their condemnation and slammed this extreme act of terrorism. This universal condemnation revealed one thing that civilised world stands united against terrorism," read an incisive editorial published in Afghanistan Times.
The editorial criticised the policies adopted by the Pakistan and urged the ruling party to consider the impact of its policies on the country's security situation.
Sarnawesht daily said Pukhtuns on both sides of the border have become victims of ongoing militancy. "This war is viewed as war on terror but in fact it is a war against the history, identity and culture of Pukhtuns from both sides of the Durand Line," a recent editorial in the newspaper stated.
Daily Hasht-e Subh billed the attack on the school as a 'massacre' and pressed the Pakistan government to root out militants indiscriminately.
In an editorial, the newspaper termed the killing of schoolchildren as a form of aggression against people. "No religious, legal and humanitarian values permit such a barbaric bloodshed of children," the paper commented.
An editorial in Arman-e-Milli, an independent daily, condemned the attack and asked Pakistan to "stop supporting elements who are creating problems for its neighbours."
"The Afghan people consider this a tragic incident as they too were victims of such attacks by the Taliban for many years," the editorial read.
Hewad, a state-owned newspaper, said the attack confirms terrorism is a serious threat to Afghanistan, Pakistan and the entire world. "Terrorists are acting against Islamic, humanitarian and ethical values," an editorial published in the newspaper stated.
Joining hands
Afghan security analysts have suggested that Kabul and Islamabad should come together and establish a counter-terrorism task force.
According to Attaullah Habib, a member of the Afghan parliament's Internal Security Commission, this forum could serve the interests of both countries. "Stability in one country contributes to stability in the other," he said in an interview with Tolo TV.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2014.
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One ought not to seek the answer to the heinous crime on humanity committed in Peshawar in the details as to who did what, and in the organisations that have given voice to the murder of. opponents. The answer lies in our own state of affairs that reeks of degeneration. The plaster of veneer has at last peeled off enough to revealing the degenerated souls within our own society.
What ingredients go to make a nation and a state? Who should be its legitimate leaders? Who should give the state the direction and steer it effectively.? What are the pillars of the state and how honest and strong are they? Have the different tribes, communities been forged into a nation? Pakistan is a beautiful country peopled by hardy, innovative, adventurous individuals. But alas!
Today Pakistan has effectively been drained off its vigour,and future by the politicians, bureaucrats, and a few corrupt retired military officers. The ingredients of success has been corrupted. Truth in all and each act is the first requirement. This has been missing since the inception.With few exceptions all politicians lie to the nation in a blatant and arrogant manner. Just look at the PPP, PMLN, ANP members who stand before the nation and spit out lie after lie. It seems that they don't have a family where truth reigns. Even at this moment some leaders are talking of needs of improving Pakistan while standing on the foundations of lies, dishonesty and money laundering. To be specific I would name some who mock the nation. Shehla Raza of PPP seems to specialise in mocking her opponents on talk shows with a sardonic smile and a vigour in defending all the illegal, corrupt practices of her party. The same goes for Sharmila farooqui, and also of other parties. All the PMLN members have attained the highest degree in telling lies. With due apology I must say that the PMLN Punjabi cadre is the worst liar of all.( With due apologies to those Punjabis who are among the best of men) Look at the ATN and Fazlur Rehman people. This is the culture of these parties. We dont need these people. The best tribute to the dead children of Peshawar would be to have a new government with new faces. There lies the redemption of the nation.