In order to pay homage to the school children and staff martyred
in the brutal terrorist attack on Army Public School (APS) Peshawar on 16
December 2014, a solemn ceremony was held today at Keçiören, Ankara, says a
press release received from Ankara here today.
It may be recalled that the people and leadership of Turkey
extended spontaneous support to Pakistan in the face of the terrorist attack of
16 December 2014. Turkey declared a day of national mourning. Also, as a show
of solidarity, Keçiören Municipality and Youth Wing members of the Justice and
Development (AK) Party planted 144 trees, one for each shaheed, at the AK Party
Memorial Forest in Keçiören district of Ankara.
During the commemorative ceremony, the officers of the Embassy
of Pakistan and their families placed flowers at the memorial, followed by
prayers for the departed souls.
In his remarks on the occasion, Ambassador of Pakistan Mr.
Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi recalled the black day of 16 December 2014 when 144
lives were ruthlessly taken away in the cowardly terrorist attack. He
appreciated the gesture by the people and leadership of Turkey as they were
among the first in the world to reach out and express strong solidarity with
Pakistan. “These 144 trees planted in the AK Party Memorial Forest will be a
reminder of strong Turkish support and as a living example of Pakistan-Turkey
brotherhood,” the Ambassador added.
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