Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Shehla Raza became visibly emotional while discussing the Army Public School (APS) attack during a televised program marking the 10th anniversary of the tragedy.
Raza, alongside Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Whip Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Aamir Mughal, participated in the discussion to reflect on the devastating event that shook the nation on December 16, 2014. The attack claimed the lives of 147 individuals, including 132 schoolchildren, leaving an indelible mark on Pakistan’s collective memory.
Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, recalling the pain of losing young lives, urged the authorities to address the concerns of the victims’ families. “Parents deserve answers, and their queries about the judicial commission’s report must be addressed,” he emphasized. Chaudhry himself suffered personal tragedy last year when his son, Hanza Tariq, lost his life in a road accident in Islamabad.
At this point, Shehla Raza, unable to contain her emotions, broke into tears. Raza, who tragically lost her two children in an accident on Karachi’s Abul Asfahani Road over 15 years ago, empathized deeply with the families still grappling with the aftermath of the APS attack.
PTI’s Aamir Mughal expressed solidarity with both politicians and the grieving families, underscoring the shared national sorrow over the incident.
The APS attack spurred the creation of the National Action Plan (NAP), a comprehensive strategy aimed at countering terrorism and ensuring national security. However, despite these efforts, families of the victims continue to demand justice, calling for accountability and punishment of the perpetrators.
As Pakistan marked the 10th anniversary, the tragedy served as a grim reminder of the sacrifices made and the ongoing need to address terrorism and safeguard the nation’s children.
