ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday vowed to pursue a zero-tolerance policy against violence and those using it as a tool and said he would never let down the survivors and parents of the children of the Army Public School (APS) martyred in a terrorist attack on December 16, 2014, in Peshawar.
The terrorist attack martyred over 140 people which included 132 children, sending the entire nation into shock and mourning.
“I reiterate we will never let down the survivors and parents of our martyred children,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a tweet on APS martyrs day.
“There is zero tolerance for violence and those using it as a tool,” the premier noted.
The prime minister, in a separate message on the day, said the tragic day was also a reminder of those brave Army Public School teachers who stood like a bulwark against the enemy to protect their students and laid down their lives.
The PM said, “Time has proved that although terrorism has no religion or nation. There is in fact, a nefarious political design behind it which can even target the youngest children.”
He said, “the sacrifices of the martyrs of the Army Public School will not go in vain.”
PM Imran Khan said following the tragedy, the morale of the brave Pakistani nation rose higher as they expressed their firm resolve against terrorism. The whole nation, he said, stood united under the National Action Plan.
“Today, I assure the entire nation that the enemy can never demoralize the Pakistani nation.”
Whenever the evil elements tried to challenge the courage and fortitude of the Pakistani nation, they were defeated, the prime minister said.
“Let us pledge today that the whole nation stands united against those who spread sectarian, religious and ethnic prejudices, those who spread separatism and those who use such tactics to fulfil their nefarious political ambitions.”
He said by identifying such elements, the nation can help the state work towards their elimination.
The prime minister prayed to Allah Almighty to shower His blessings on the martyrs of APS Peshawar and asked God to grant courage to their parents to bear the irreparable loss.
He recalled the saying of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah that “There is no power on earth that can undo Pakistan.”
