The response to the 2014 Peshawar school massacre, that occurred on 16 December 2014 was widespread. The attack occurred at the Army Public School in the Pakistani city of Peshawar, killed a total of 145 people which included 132 school children and ten school staff members.
The attack prompted a massive response both on local and international level. Pakistani reaction included both strong condemnations and promises of retaliation against the perpetrators. International reaction was swift and widespread, with many countries condemning the attack and expressing their condolences to the victims.
Pakistan
Government
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had condemned the attack, calling it a national tragedy. Nawaz Sharif left for Peshawar to monitor the operation and announced a three-day mourning period during which the National Flag would fly at half mast. On 17 December 2014, Sharif approved paperwork to remove a moratorium on the death penalty in terror-related cases.
President Mamnoon Hussain condemned the attack, saying "such cowardly attacks cannot deter the morale and resolve of the Nation."
Chief Minister of the Province of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the attack, saying "The incident of terrorism is highly condemnable and 180 million people of the country are shocked and grieved over the tragic incident." The Chief Minister appealed to Imran Khan, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, Altaf Hussain, Asfandyar Wali Khan, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Maulana Samiul Haq, Siraj Ul Haq, leaders of all political and religious parties and civil society to be united for the sake of Pakistan.
Political entities Major political entities denounced the attack and heavily condemned the attack on innocent children, calling for a strong reaction against militants.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan condemned the attack and announced the end of the protest Azadi March.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Altaf Hussain, Jamiat Ulema e Islam leader Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan leader Siraj-ul-Haq Khan, Pakistan Awami Tehrik leader Tahirul Qadri condemned the attack.
Religious entities Abdul Aziz Ghazi, the head cleric of Lal Masjid in Islamabad received huge backlash after he refused to condemn the attack. A large number of protesters gathered outside the mosque demanding his arrest. Police were deployed outside the mosque to prevent clashes. In reaction, the mosque management registered a FIR against protesters after which police made some arrests. On 21 December, a FIR was launched against Abdul Aziz.
The vice chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband issued a statement condemning the attack on APS Peshawar. He stated that it is totally un-Islamic.
Islamic scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel condemned the attack, saying "the attack against innocent people is barbaric and must be condemned in no uncertain terms".
Others Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai condemned the attack, saying in a statement: "I am heartbroken by this senseless and cold-blooded act of terror in Peshawar that is unfolding before us". Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, said his "heart is bleeding" and his family in "traumatized" over Peshawar school massacre.
Queen Elizabeth II condemned the Peshawar attack saying "deepest sympathies from me and from those of the people of United Kingdom to all those affected by the tragic event in Peshawar."
International reactions International reaction for the attack was widespread, with many countries and international organisations condemning the attack and expressing their condolences to the families of victims. Many important personalities around the world also condemned the attack.
Supranational European Union — Federica Mogherini the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in a statement condemned the attack saying "I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and my support to the people and the authorities of Pakistan on this tragic day."
Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf — Secretary general Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, on behalf of the GCC states, strongly condemned the attack saying that its perpetrators "were stripped out of all human sentiments" and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the Pakistani Government wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation — Secretary General Iyad bin Amin Madani issued a press release condemning the attack calling it "horrific and senseless terrorist attack". Madani offered solidarity and condolences to the Government and people of Pakistan. He said that "the OIC’s principled position denouncing all acts of terrorism no matter what the justifications are."
United Nations — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack saying "An act of horror and rank cowardice to attack defenceless children while they learn. No cause can justify such brutality. No grievance can excuse such horror. Getting an education is every child's right. Going to school should not have to be an act of bravery." United Nations representative in Pakistan Timo Pakkala in a statement said it is "appalled by this act of cruelty and brutality. Attacking children and children’s education is a disregard of the most fundamental principles of humanity and we reaffirm our strongest commitment to protecting children’s rights." Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said "Nowhere in the world should it be an act of bravery for a child to attend school. Yet, in parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria simply showing up at school takes tremendous courage and determination. In recent years, my staff have been receiving increasing frequent reports in these three countries of schools being destroyed or closed because of militants' threats, and of schoolchildren – especially girls – being kidnapped, shot, attacked with acid or poisoned by groups whose ideology bears no resemblance to any religion or any cultural norm."
State governments
Asia — President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack and said "The killing of innocent children is contrary to Islam." "We share the pains and sufferings of Pakistan's people, and condemn in strongest possible terms this terrorist, brutal, non-Islamic and inhuman act." Ghani said over telephonic conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press statement condemned the attack saying "Azerbaijan expressed its heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and the brotherly people of Pakistan and wished the many injured a speedy recovery. Azerbaijan, as a victim of terrorism, condemns terrorism in all forms and reiterates that there is no justification for terrorism at all." Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Dakshin Shikarov said "More than hundred Innocent children and teachers became the victims of this brutal act. We share the pain of those who lost their beloveds and express our deepest condolences. We pray to Allah Almighty to rest the departed souls in eternal peace. Aamin."
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a press release to condemn the attack. "Kingdom of Bahrain affirmed full support to Pakistan in confronting and defeating terrorist groups, and offered condolences to the Pakistani Government, people and relatives of the victims of the barbaric act." the press release said.
— Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a statement said "People across the world are stunned and shocked by this barbaric and heinous massacre."
— The people of Brunei have express their condolences with the Pakistan High Commission in the country organised a Qur'an recital and prayers for the victims along with a three days mourning.
— Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang in a statement said "We are deeply shocked and grieved by the attack and condemn in the strongest terms the terrorists. China will continue to firmly support the unremitting Pakistani efforts to fight terrorism, safeguard national stability and save people's lives." Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang both sent separate messages of condolences to the Pakistani leaders. President Xi said that he was shocked to learn about the serious terrorist attack. On behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name, Xi deeply mourned the victims and conveyed heartfelt sympathy to the injured and the bereaved families. Both messages stressed that the Chinese side opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns the inhumane terrorist attack, that the thoughts of the Chinese people are with the Pakistani people, and that China firmly supports the counter-terrorism efforts by the Pakistani Government. China's Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong condemned the attack and reiterated "Chinese cooperation and firm support for eliminating the menace of terrorism from the country." The ambassador also presented the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister with condolence letters from President Xi, Premier Li and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to their respective Pakistani counterparts. Ambassador Sun also presented a cheque of $50,000 for the victims of the attack, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad. China, as part of the rehabilitation programme, later invited school students to participate in a recreational tour to China.
– The Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, issued a statement quoting the Foreign Minister which reads "We are shocked at the heinous terrorist attack on a public school in Peshawar of Pakistan that resulted in the deaths of dozens of innocent children. we strongly condemn inhumane attacks on innocent students and educators and we express our deep condolences to the families of the victims and our support for the people and the Government of Pakistan."
— In the aftermath of the attack, there was an outpouring of solidarity in India with the hashtag #IndiaWithPakistan trending on Twitter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack. "It is a senseless act of unspeakable brutality that has claimed lives of the most innocent of human beings| young children in their school." Modi said on his Twitter account. "My heart goes out to everyone who lost their loved ones today. We share their pain & offer our deepest condolences." President Pranab Mukherjee in a message said "Such heinous acts are against all tenets of humanity. They are nothing but a manifestation of the extreme evil that terrorists are capable of. The world community must unite and redouble efforts to root out terrors from every country and society." Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh issued a statement to express his condolence to the families and said "I strongly condemn the terrorist attack on a school at Peshawar (Pakistan). This dastardly and inhuman attack exposes the real face of terrorism. My heart goes out to the families of those children who were killed by the terrorists in Peshawar." Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin tweeted, "We condemn the horrific attack on innocent school children in Peshawar. Our hearts go out to the grief stricken families of the innocent children killed & injured in this barbaric attack in Peshawar. Feeling of deep revulsion & horror about this terror attack against innocent children." Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah in a tweet said "Inhuman and "barbaric words were not enough to describe the perpetrators. What terrible, heart breaking images of the attack in #Peshawar. Inhuman and barbaric don't even begin to describe the perpetrators." Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi commented "We stand united with the people of Pakistan in their resolve to fight the menace of terrorism."