President Stresses Justice, Dignity, Sustained Support For Terrorism Victims
ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 20th Aug, 2026) President Asif Ali Zardari has called for a coordinated, survivor-centred system of support for victims of terrorism, stressing that assistance to affected families was a matter of justice, human dignity and national responsibility rather than charity.
In his message on the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, observed on August 21, the president paid tribute to all those who lost their lives to terrorism and expressed solidarity with survivors, families and communities whose lives had been permanently affected by violence.
Pakistan had paid an enormous price in the fight against terrorism, with tens of thousands of people, including children, political leaders, armed forces personnel, law enforcement officials, first responders and public servants, losing their lives over more than two decades.
He recalled the sacrifices of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the innocent children and teachers of Army Public School Peshawar, and countless other Pakistanis who had fallen victim to terrorism.
“Even today, our citizens and security personnel continue to make sacrifices, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan,” he said, saluting their courage and expressing solidarity with every family that had lost a loved one to terrorism.
The president categorically stated that no religion, faith, sect, ideology, grievance, cause or political objective could justify the killing of innocent people.
He called for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations to be condemned without distinction, urging the international community to ensure that no territory was used to perpetrate terrorism against another country.
He also stressed the need to prevent terrorist organisations from receiving sanctuary, financing, weapons, logistical assistance or any other form of external support.
The president emphasised that remembrance must lead to responsibility and recovery, noting that victims and survivors often continued for years to suffer from physical injuries, psychological trauma, loss of livelihood, interrupted education and social isolation.
He said their suffering could not be addressed merely through immediate relief or one-time financial compensation, adding that victims deserved empathy, medical and psychosocial care, education, rehabilitation, legal assistance and livelihood opportunities to rebuild their lives with dignity.
“Pakistan remains committed to strengthening a coordinated and survivor-centred system of support,” he said, adding that technology should be responsibly harnessed to make information, assistance and rehabilitation services more accessible to victims and their families.
Referring to this year’s focus on victim-led digital initiatives, the president said government institutions, healthcare and educational institutions,
