ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP):To pay homage to the school children and staff martyred in the brutal terrorist attack on Army Public School (APS) Peshawar in 2014, a solemn ceremony was held on Monday at Keçiören, Ankara.
Mayor of Keçiören Turgut Altinok, Ambassador of Pakistan Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, Pakistan Embassy officials, their families, Keçiören Municipality officials, members of civil society and media attended the event, a message received here from Ankara said.
In his remarks on the occasion, Ambassador Syrus Sajjad Qazi said the December 16, 2014 tragic event was one of the most painful days in the history of the Pakistani nation.
He said even animals would not commit such a massacre of innocent children when 147
lives were taken away in the brutal terrorist attack.
“The heartless manner, in which these flowers were plucked away, left every heart bleeding, and we will never wish this to happen even to our worst enemy,” Ambassador Qazi said.
He thanked the people and leadership of Turkey who were among the first in the world to reach out and express strong solidarity with the people of Pakistan.
He said the special gesture of Keçiören Municipality of planting a tree for each martyr was a source of strength for the grieving families and the Pakistani nation and this would keep their memory alive in Turkey forever.
While reaffirming the strong solidarity of the people of Turkey with Pakistan, Mayor of Keçiören Turgut Altinok condemned the terrorist attack and said nothing could justify such a brutal and inhuman act.
He said both Pakistan and Turkey were facing the challenge of terrorism, in the shape of TTP and PKK and hoped that both countries through the support and strong determination of their people would overcome it.
He said the people of Turkey and Pakistan would always stand by each other in good and bad times.
Later, prayers were offered for the departed souls of the martyres.
It may be recalled that the people and leadership of Turkey extended spontaneous support to Pakistan in the face of the terrorist attack of 16 December 2014.
Turkey declared a day of national mourning. Also, as a show of solidarity, Keçiören Municipality and Youth Wing members of the Justice and Development (AK) Party planted trees, one for each martyr at the AK Party Memorial Forest in Keçiören, Ankara.
