ANKARA, DEC 16 /DNA/ – A commemorative ceremony was held today at Keçiören Orman Park , Ankara to pay homage to the school children and staff martyred in the brutal terrorist attack on Army Public School (APS) Peshawar in 2014. Ambassador of Pakistan Dr. Yousaf Junaid, Keçiören Municipality Deputy Mayor Atilla Zorlu, members of civil society, officials from Keçiören Municipality and Pakistan Embassy attended the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Dr. Yousaf Junaid stated that ten years ago, on the tragic day of 16 December 2014, a brazen and violent terrorist attack on APS Peshawar martyred 144 children. He noted, that attack on APS Peshawar was not an act against Pakistan but against humanity. Since that day our resolve to fight terrorism has grown stronger and our armed forces have conducted successful operations against terrorism, he added.
While emphasizing on the importance of effectively countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestation, Ambassador Junaid highlighted the plight of Kashmiris undergoing worst state terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and the ongoing genocide in Gaza by Israel.
Ambassador Junaid expressed heartfelt gratitude to Turkish brethren for solidarity and keeping the memory of precious lives lost to terrorism alive, and stated that these 144 trees reflect strong resolve of people of Pakistan and Turkiye to fight terrorism, as both countries have faced innumerable losses at the hands of terrorism. Referring to the highly condemnable terrorist attack at TUSAS facility in Ankara in October 2024, ambassador reiterated Pakistan’s strong support for Turkiye in its fight against terrorism.
Reaffirming strong solidarity of Turkiye with Pakistan, Deputy Mayor Keçiören Municipality Atilla Zorlu, condemned the terrorist attack and said nothing can justify such a brutal and inhuman act. He stated that the people of Turkiye would continue to stand by their Pakistani brothers in all aspects of life particularly in fight against terrorism.
Later, the Ambassador along with Mayor Kecioren and other dignitaries offered fateha and laid wreath at the memorial of the APS martyrs. The trees in Kecioren Orman Park were planted in the memory of martyred children by the Kecioren Muncipality in collaboration with Embassy of Pakistan in January 2015.
