Every year, 16th December reminds us of 2014 when TTP terrorists killed more than 150 people including 144 children during the worst terrorist attack at Army Public School. Even after 7 years, the families of APS martyrs are still demanding justice.
Last month, on November 10, the Supreme Court summoned Prime Minister Imran Khan in the APS attack case. However, the answers given by the government were unfortunately unsatisfactory.
Earlier, the Judicial Commission, which was set up to ascertain the facts about the TTP’s terrorism, said in its report that the APS incident was in fact a failure of the security agencies which raised questions about the security system.
When asked about the action taken on the report of the commission, the prime minister said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had paid compensation to the family members, on which the Supreme Court expressed anger and remarked compensating the family members was worse.
Justice Qazi Amin said in his remarks that media reports indicate that the government is going to hold talks with the TTP. “Is the government going to sign another document of defeat by negotiating with those who martyred children?,” he asked.
Later, Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry told the media that the prime minister had complied with the order of the Supreme Court. The court has said that those responsible for the APS incident should be identified within four weeks. However, a few days ago, at the request of the government, the court gave more time to submit the implementation report.
The 500-page report of the Judicial Commission headed by Justice Ibrahim Khan of the Peshawar High Court was sent to the Chief Justice in July last year. The report contained statements from 132 people, including injured children and relatives of martyrs.
According to the report of the Judicial Commission, 101 civilians and 31 security officers and personnel gave statements on the APS tragedy. According to ISPR, 27 terrorists attacked the Army Public School, of which 12 were arrested and 9 were killed.
Several terrorists were tried and convicted in military courts but all the terrorists have to be caught. The families of the martyrs cannot be satisfied with childish consolations. The government should meet national requirements instead of negotiating with terrorists.
The attack on APS had shaken the entire nation, it is not a tragedy of a few families but of the whole nation. The government cannot relinquish its duties by paying compensation to the families of the martyrs of the Army Public School.
Terrorists have no religion, creed, or country. Prime Minister Imran Khan should order to arrest all the accused involved in the incident and bring to justice.
