Ten years ago, on December 16, 2014, Pakistan witnessed one of the darkest days in its history. The TTP carried out a barbaric attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar, killing over 140 innocent people, including 134 children.
These were not just numbers; these were dreams, aspirations & the future of a nation.
The APS Peshawar massacre was not just an attack on a school; it was an attack on humanity. It was a heinous attempt by terrorists to instill fear in the hearts of the people and to target our biggest asset – our children.
No ideology, no cause, justifies this level of cruelty.
Also See: A Dark Day in Balochistan’s History: The BLA’s Brutal Attacks
TTP, the group behind this horror, has repeatedly shown that it operates as a humanitarian hazard.
- They target schools.
- They attack places of worship.
- They kill innocents indiscriminately.
Their actions threaten not only Pakistan but humanity itself.
On that fateful day, the brave teachers & staff of APS became martyrs, shielding their students and fighting till their last breaths.
Heroes like Principal Tahira Qazi, who stood tall in the face of terror, became symbols of courage for the nation.
Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Every child who lost their life that day was a dream unfulfilled.
They were poets, scientists, doctors & leaders in the making. Their laughter was silenced, but their legacy inspires us to never bow down to terrorism.
This tragedy led to a collective realization in Pakistan:
Terrorism is not just a political issue; it’s an attack on every family, every home, and every heart.
The National Action Plan (NAP) was launched to root out this menace. Yet, the fight is far from over.
Even today, the TTP continues its activities, targeting civilians and trying to destabilize our region.
We must stand firm in our resolve:
- To eliminate terrorism.
- To ensure the safety of our children.
To prevent another APS-like tragedy from ever happening again.
The APS martyrs are a reminder of the high cost of inaction against extremism.
Every child lost that day represents a loss for the entire world.
Terrorism knows no borders, no humanity, and no morality. It must be condemned globally.
We honor the parents who lost their children and the staff who sacrificed their lives. Their pain is unimaginable, yet their resilience is inspiring.
As we remember the martyrs, we also reaffirm our commitment to making Pakistan a terror-free nation.
A message to the world:
Terrorism is a global issue. Groups like the TTP are a threat to every society. They do not differentiate between nations, religions, or people. The APS tragedy is a stark reminder of why we must unite against this menace.
Today, we remember.
Today, we grieve.
And today, we vow: Never Again.
May the martyrs of APS rest in eternal peace. Pakistan will never forget your sacrifice.
PAYF Insights are social media threads by various authors, reproduced here for wider consumption.
