KARACHI: Ahmad Nawaz, one of the survivors of the 2014 attack on Peshawar’s Army Public School (APS) and an activist for education and peace, took on the social media platform Twitter on Thursday to announce his academic achievement, saying he had received six A* and two As in his eight international GCSE [General Certificate of Secondary Education] exams.

“Thanks to my parents and all of you for supporting me. This is a big success for me and takes me many steps closer to my admission to the Oxford University,” the 17-year-old tweeted.

Ahmad was attending a lecture in the APS when the school came under attack. He received a bullet in his arm and narrowly escaped death. He then moved to a changing room for shelter where he and others came under fire for the second time but he managed to dodge death once again.

According to reports, he was suffering from physical and psychological issues as he lost his younger brother, his best friend and saw terrorists burning the body of his teacher during the massacre.

Three months after the tragedy, he was shifted to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment. A vein from his leg was transplanted into his arm.

Subsequently, he took admission in the King Edward School, Birmingham. Ahmad has been working with the British Home Office, encouraging communities to unite and fight extremism together. He delivers lectures in educational institutions, and wants to join the United Nations.

Meanwhile, Director General of Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor on Friday congratulated Ahmad on his academic achievement.

“You made us all proud and defeated evil forces through your courage, determination and power of education,” he wrote on Twitter. “Good luck in your future pursuits. Stay blessed,” he added.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2018