Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
SPEECH BY HIGH COMMISSIONER HER EXCELLENCY NAELA CHOHAN
ON THURSDAY 17
DECEMBER 2015 AT 1930 HRS
AT SYDNEY
IN REMEMBRANCE OF SHAHEED CHILDREN OF
THE
ARMY PUBLIC SCHOOL PESHAWAR
H.E. Naela Chohan
Bismillah Hirrahman-ira-Rahim,
I would, at the very
outset, like to thank all those present here to show solidarity with the
families of the martyrs of the heinous attack of 16 December 2014 in
Peshawar.
May Allah (SWT) bless their souls and rest their souls in
eternal peace.
I would also like to thank Young Pakistan Association of
Australia and Sada-e-Watan for organizing this important event to remember the
Shuhada of Peshawar School. last year, I was in Sydney and witnessed in horror
the unfolding of the incident in Saint Martin Place in December 2014 when
innocent Australians lost their lives. I was deeply saddened by it. Little did
I know that a worst atrocity would hit innocent children in my own country
around the same time and now again this year such heinous attacks have taken
place in Paris and in other parts of the world.
Not only the Pakistani
nation but the whole world was deeply shocked and grieved at the despicable act
of terrorism in a Peshawar school just as we grieve the loss of lives in
Sydney, Paris and other parts of the world. The terrorists have once again
shown that they have no regard for human life. They have no religion – no
nationality, no humanity. How can they abuse the name of God who is so loving
and caring? How can anyone who says he believes in God commit such
atrocity?
In our grief, our hearts go out to the families of these young
children who embraced Shahadat in Peshawar and elsewhere. Such cold blooded
cowardly acts cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan, the
Government and the Armed Forces, to combat all terrorists. These terrorists are
enemies of Islam and enemies of humanity.
From every darkness emanates
the first ray of light and hope. The Peshawar incident has helped forge
consensus in the Pakistani society against terrorism. All political parties are
united on this issue and the government has formulated a comprehensive and a
broad-based National Action Plan (NAP) to eradicate terrorism from our soil.
Operation Zarb-e-Azab has been successful. Overall, we have turned the tide
against the terrorists. Militants’ ability to strike Pakistan has considerably
reduced. Pakistani nation will not let the sacrifices of its children to go in
vain.
We pay our homage to our brave soldiers who are engaged in a
valiant effort to root out terrorism from the country for which they have made
great sacrifices.
The people
of Pakistan stand united in condemning all forms and manifestation of
terrorism. We remain resolute in our commitment to eliminate terrorism and
success will, InshAllah, be of our brave and indomitable people.
I also
admire the people of Australia for having calmly dealt with the Sydney siege.
Our thoughts and prayers are for the families and friends of the
victims.
We share the pain and sorrow of our Australian friends. We need
to stand together to fight against this common menace. Let us together join
hands in prayers for the departed souls, the victims of Peshawar attack, Sydney
Siege, Paris and elsewhere in the world.
Mrs. Nafisa Zafar, High Commissioner Naela Chohan and Acting Consul General Bushra Salam
HC Naela Chohan speaking at the event arranged by Young Pakistan Association
