The eighth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar is being observed today nationwide.
All schools in the province have been ordered by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Department to hold special events and prayers in memory of the tragic incident that occurred today.
Separately, Raja Pervez Ashraf, speaker of the National Assembly, stated that the nation’s hearts are still raw from the tragedy at the Army Public School in Peshawar.
He said the resilience and courage of the bereaved families and students of APS have reinforced the nation’s resolve to root out militancy in all forms and manifestations.
Six terrorists linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stormed the school on December 16, 2014, killing 137 students and teachers.
The attack was the deadliest in Pakistani history, and the devastation prompted the government to declare an all-out war on terrorist organisations.
Political parties and security agencies created a National Action Plan to combat terrorism and extremism after the attack.
Later, the establishment of military courts for quick trials of ardent terrorists received unanimous approval from Pakistan’s parliament.
Following the attacks, the moratorium on the death penalty was lifted, and military courts were established in accordance with the 21st Amendment of the Constitution, under which the terrorists received death sentences.
One terrorist was given life in prison by the military courts, compared to seven who received death sentences.
