Schools to remain closed in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore today

Islamabad: All public and private schools and colleges in Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi will remain closed today, December 16, to observe the 10th anniversary of the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar massacre, the deadliest attack in Pakistan’s history.

The brutal terrorist assault on December 16, 2014, claimed the lives of 147 individuals, including 122 students and several teachers. Six terrorists, disguised in military uniforms, stormed the school and unleashed indiscriminate gunfire, resulting in the bloodiest tragedy the nation has ever witnessed.

Among the martyrs were APS Principal Tahira Qazi and teacher Sofia Hijab, who courageously sacrificed their lives to protect students. Security forces engaged the attackers, suffering injuries to nine personnel, including two officers. All six terrorists involved were later arrested, tried, and sentenced to death by military courts.

A notification issued by Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema, Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi, declared a holiday for all educational institutions within the city’s jurisdiction.

The notice read:
“In exercise of powers conferred upon me vide notification no. SOW-I(S&GAD)1-4/2018(Pt-IV), dated 26, 12, 2023 issued by the Services and General Administration Department, Government of Punjab Lahore, I, Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, Deputy Commissioner, Rawalpindi, hereby declare a holiday in all public and private schools and colleges in the territorial jurisdiction of Rawalpindi on 16, 12, 24.”

Similarly, Lahore’s Chief Executive Officer for Education, Nazar Hussain, confirmed the closure of all educational institutions in the city to commemorate the APS tragedy as well as the anniversary of the Dhaka Fall.