Islamabad, December 15, 2024: To honour the martyrs of the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar tragedy, the Deputy Commissioners of Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi have declared December 16 as a public holiday for educational institutions.
As per the notification, all public and private schools, along with colleges, will remain closed in the three cities. However, universities in Lahore will continue to operate as usual.
The holiday marks the 10th anniversary of the devastating attack on December 16, 2014, when six terrorists stormed APS Peshawar, claiming the lives of nearly 150 students and teachers.
This tragedy prompted the government to launch the National Action Plan (NAP), a comprehensive strategy aimed at eradicating terrorism and ensuring national security.
The closure serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made and the collective resolve to fight terrorism in Pakistan.