PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar tragedy had strengthened the resolve to bring back peace in the country.
“We will give the new generation a Pakistan that is prosperous and peaceful – a place filled with harmony and free from the odour of gunpowder,” he said while addressing a ceremony in connection with first anniversary of APS in Peshawar on Wednesday.
He said the killing of schoolchildren had united the entire nation with a consensus that the perpetrators of this barbaric act must not be spared.
He recalled that soon after the incident, the political leadership and military top brass unanimously decided to strike hard against militants. He paid tribute to policy-makers for making amendment in the Constitution for establishment of military courts.
He said Operation Zarb-e-Azb and National Action Plan were going-on successfully. The sacrifices of the country’s innocent people would not go waste, he added.
He mentioned that the jawans of Pakistan Army under the leadership of Army Chief General Raheel Sharif were doing a marvellous job for securing the country from terrorists.
He said with brave armed forces, civil administration and nation were on the same page and fully backed the Operation which had broken the infrastructure of militants.
The Prime Minister said he could feel the pain of the parents who had lost their dear children and prayed that may Almighty Allah ease their grief.
He mentioned that according to the religious belief, the Shaheeds (martyrs) are immortal and said these schoolchildren would live forever in the hearts of the nation.
Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif gave away medals to the parents of the martyred children and architect of the Martyrs Memorial, Nayyar Ali Dada.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Balochistan Chief Minister, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Pervaiz Khattak and Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman also distributed medals among the parents.
Source: APP/DND
