In a poignant tribute to the innocent students and faculty members who lost their lives in the 2014 APS tragedy, a dignified commemoration ceremony was held at Oermann Park in Keçiören, Ankara. The event was attended by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey, Dr. Yusuf Junaid, Deputy Mayor of Keçiören, Mr. Atilla Zorlu, representatives of the Civil Society, local authorities, and officers from the Pakistani Embassy.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Dr. Yusuf Junaid said that the attack on innocent school children was a brutal assault on the collective conscience of humanity. The tragedy has further strengthened Pakistan’s resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms. The Ambassador emphasized that after the incident, the Pakistan Armed Forces have carried out decisive and successful counter-terrorism operations under the National Action Plan, despite notable progress, the struggle against terrorism continues.
Dr. Yusuf Junaid extended heartfelt thanks to the Turkish people and government for keeping the memory of the innocent victims alive and exhibiting unwavering solidarity with Pakistan in times of hardship. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to a joint struggle against terrorism with Turkey.
Deputy Mayor Mr. Atilla Zorlu condemned the brutal terrorist attack on innocent children in strong words, stating that the Turkish people will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their Pakistani brothers in all fields, especially in the shared struggle against terrorism.
To commemorate the occasion, Ambassador Dr. Yusuf Junaid, Deputy Mayor Mr. Atilla Zorlu, and other dignitaries laid a wreath on the APS Martyrs’ Memorial. The tree planted in Keçiören and Oermann Park in January 2015 by the Keçiören Municipality and the Pakistani Embassy remains a lasting symbol of the memory of the innocent children who fell victim to terrorism.
In other news, the Islamabad High Court has sentenced the fake US diplomat arrested from the American Embassy in Islamabad to 10 years in prison. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that the Modi government has been given a lesson in the ongoing battle of wills that they will never forget.
In a separate development, the Pakistan Navy has launched a submarine, Ghazi, in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The Balochistan Awami Party, the People’s Party, and the National League have filed a joint application. The Director of the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar has been removed from his position due to poor performance.
Minister of Railways, Khawaja Saad Rafique, met with the Secretary of Defense, Lt. Gen. Muhammad Ali, in Islamabad. Senator Sherry Rehman has stated that the Buner attack is being taken out of its original context and is being linked to identity politics, which is a misleading narrative.
The Punjab Assembly has passed a resolution condemning the Indian state of Bihar’s Chief Minister. The Judicial Service Rules have been amended in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eliminating the two-year experience requirement for civil judges.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has stated that the nation is not one that will be cowed by fear. The UAE Minister of State for Tolerance and Coexistence, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, has visited Khairpur, where he met with the Interior Minister, Shah Muhammad Shah.
Prime Minister’s Special Assistant, Haroon Akhtar Khan, has stated that the government will prioritize providing financial assistance to SMAs as per the Prime Minister’s vision. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Marriyum Aurangzeb, has stated that the nation must unite for the sake of national progress and peace, and that the protection of minority rights is a government priority.
After a long delay, work on the Red Line project has begun on plot 2 in Karachi. Following successful negotiations between the government and the Goods Transporters Association, the latter has called off the strike.
