The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has ordered an investigation into the deadly collapse of a private school in Peshawar’s Dir Colony.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi spoke to the media after offering condolences and reciting Fateha prayers, and announced financial support for the affected families.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi announced that the families of the children who were martyred in the tragedy would receive Rs1 million each, while the injured would receive Rs300,000 each.
Reportedly, 35 children and two female teachers lost their lives in the incident. Around 54 children were injured.
Police said nearly 110 children were inside the school when the building collapsed.
Investigation ordered into school building collapse
The Elementary and Secondary Education Department has formed a three-member committee to investigate the incident.
The committee will examine the causes of the collapse and suggest steps to prevent similar tragedies.
Authorities have also formed district-level teams to inspect private school buildings across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to check roofs, walls, foundations and other major parts of school buildings, to recommend repairs where needed.
Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the building’s owner, co-owners and contractor.
According to the complaint, students had repeatedly warned the owners about damaged walls and ceilings.
However, the FIR alleges that the warnings were ignored.
The school, Al-Khair Education System, operated in the Saeedabad area of Dir Colony.
According to the FIR, the building stood on a 16-marla plot owned by two residents, Waheed and Javed.
In 2024, Mufti Khan Muhammad and other stakeholders reportedly leased the land.
They hired contractor Shah Zaman to construct the school building.
The FIR alleges that poor construction materials were used.
Ceilings collapsed in nursery classrooms on the second floor and Class 2 classrooms on the ground floor.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi’s visit
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi stated that the officials responsible for issuing NOCs (No Objection Certificates) for government and private schools have been identified.
The relevant adviser and department have been instructed to identify those responsible within 15 days and submit a report, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said.
Legal and disciplinary action will be taken against those responsible for issuing the NOCs. An audit of government and private schools is being carried out.
Kundi further stated that the school concerned still has an NOC, so an investigation is necessary. The law relating to private schools was introduced in 2017 and the school owner has been arrested. He said action will also be taken against other people involved in the incident.
“On one hand, we are fighting a war against terrorism. On the other hand, those who play with children’s lives do not deserve any leniency,” Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said. Adding to this he also stated that investigations will also be conducted into corruption that occurred during the previous government’s tenure. Any officer against whom solid evidence is found will face legal action.