Rawalpindi / Islamabad | December 16, 2025
The Leader of the Shia community in Pakistan, Ayatollah Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi, stated that December 16, 1971—the fall of Dhaka—and December 16, 2014—the Army Public School (APS) tragedy in Peshawar—are among the darkest days in Pakistan’s history and can never be forgotten.
In his statement, he said that on December 16, 1971, Pakistan was divided, while on the same day in 2014 terrorists attacked the Army Public School in Peshawar, brutally martyring more than 140 people, including innocent children engaged in their education. He described both incidents as among the most tragic events in the nation’s history.
Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi noted that several factors contributed to the fall of Dhaka, including the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly in 1955, blocking the adoption of a prepared constitution, the lack of far-sighted policies, reliance on force as a solution, and conspiracies by India, which denied Pakistan’s very existence.
He emphasized that living nations learn lessons from history and bitter realities, urging politicians, the legislature, the executive, the judiciary, and all stakeholders to seriously reflect on what lessons have been learned. He expressed regret that the public has not been fully informed about the harsh truths behind the fall of Dhaka even to this day.
Regarding the APS Peshawar tragedy, the Leader of the Shia community said it remains one of the worst calamities in Pakistan’s history, in which more than 140 compatriots, including innocent children, were martyred. He added that several other tragic incidents have occurred in the country even after the APS tragedy.
He also expressed concern over the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in District Kurram, noting that the people there continue to live in distress and await lasting peace. He stressed that learning from past mistakes is essential for ensuring national security, peace, and stability.
