The National Assembly on Wednesday passed a unanimous resolution to express its profound grief and sadness over the martyrdom of innocent children and teachers of Army Public School Peshawar on December 16, 2014. Federal Minister for Climate Change, Zahid Hamid, presented a resolution in the House and the House unanimously passed it.
According to the resolution, "This House recalls, with immense grief and profound sadness, the martyrdom of innocent children and teachers in the heinous terrorist attack on the Army Public School, Peshawar on December, 16 2014. "Reiterating its strong condemnation of this barbaric atrocity, which was a crime against humanity; this House once again expresses its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims.
"This House notes with appreciation that, pursuant to the dastardly attack resulting in the martyrdom of these innocent children and teachers, a military action against the terrorists in the form of the operation Zarb-e-Azb launched by our valiant armed forces has proved to be highly successful.
"In recognition of the national unity forged by this heart-rending tragedy which has further strengthened the firm resolve of the people of Pakistan to fight, destroy and eliminate the perpetrators of this brutality, and in order to forever embed memories of the children's martyrdom in the national conscience, this House unanimously recommends to the government that :
"(i) December 16 be declared as "Pakistan Children's Day" or other appropriate name in memory of the martyrs; and;
(ii) Dua for the martyrs and for peace and prosperity of the nation be offered in all educational institutions of the country on 16th December every year."
Earlier, the House offered fateha for martyrs of APS massacre who were martyred on this day last year.
Later, the question-hour and other business were suspended through the adoption of a motion and the Lower House started a debate on the terrorist attack on APS Peshawar.
Taking part in the debate, the members of the National Assembly urged the government to present a report on National Action Plan (NAP) in the House. They said that if there are weaknesses in the NAP then a meeting of all political parties should be called to discuss it.
They said that December 16 will always be remembered as 'black day'. However, they said that the attack on the APS united the whole nation. They said Pakistan was also dismembered on this day in 1971.
They said that there is need to take action against the elements spreading hate literature in the country. The opposition members also criticised the government for not implementing the National Action Plan in letter and spirit. They said that the government should call an APC to discuss the implantation on the NAP. The members said the horrible attack, however, provided an opportunity to unite the whole nation and crush terrorists and extremists from across the country. The terrorists have strengthened the nation's resolve.
The members also urged political leaders to rise above petty political and personal differences to restore peace in the country. The government should devise a cogent policy to enhance educational activities in Federally Administrated Tribal Areas, the so-called hotbed of terrorism.
The members also urged the government to ensure full implementation of the National Action Plan and curb extremism by bringing promised reforms in religious seminaries. For the martyrs of the APS, Quran Khawani was also held in the Parliament House's mosque. A large number of people including Speaker National Assembly, members of the National Assembly, senators, secretariat officers and staff were present.
Remembering the Army Public School tragedy, Speaker NA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that more than 132 children along with teachers were killed that shook the entire world. He remarked that mourning families and friends were not alone, and the entire nation equally shared their pain and stood shoulder to shoulder with them. Quran Khawani was held after the Zohar prayer. Fateha was offered for the departed souls. Parliamentarians and other offered condolences for the bereaved families to bear the irreparable losses with equanimity.