BEIJING, Dec 16 (APP/DNA)::President Asif Ali Zardari’s message on the 11th anniversary of the APS Peshawar attack is more than a tribute to the 141 victims, it is a reaffirmation of Pakistan’s unyielding stance against terrorism that resonates across the nation.This was stated by Prof. Cheng Xizhong, Senior Research Fellow at the Charhar Institute, a non-governmental Chinese think-tank on diplomacy and international studies based in Beijing.
He said that the attack on16 December 2014 , a brutal act that shocked the world, became a watershed moment for Pakistan’s anti-terror efforts, and President Zardari’s words rightly anchor the country’s current resolve in the memory of those innocent lives lost.
His refusal to negotiate with “those who raise arms against the state or target the children” strikes a chord of moral clarity often muddled in counter-terror discourse. Equally significant is his recognition of the APS families, who turned grief into national strength—a testament to the resilience that has sustained Pakistan through years of terror. This acknowledgment not only honors their pain but also frames their courage as a cornerstone of the anti-terror fight, he added.
President Zardari’s condemnation of “Indian-sponsored terrorism” and vow to expose hostile activities adds a geopolitical layer, though the core of his message remains universal: zero tolerance for terrorists and their enablers, Prof Cheng said.
His tribute to security forces, whose efforts have prevented further tragedies, is a reminder that success against terror requires both national unity and institutional diligence. The warning to apologists and facilitators, regardless of their “political or fake religious garb,” sends a clear signal that impunity will not be tolerated.
The Chinese scholar opined that eleven years on, the APS martyrs remain a moral compass. President Zardari’s message ensures that their sacrifice is not just remembered, but remains a driving force for Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating terrorism—for a future where no family endures such unimaginable loss.
