Authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have ordered a province-wide safety assessment of educational institutions following the collapse of a school building in Dir Colony, with officials directed to identify structural risks and ensure effective implementation of precautionary measures.
Dr Abdullah ordered the development of a comprehensive mechanism to monitor and enforce safety standards across educational institutions. He also directed officials to survey school buildings throughout the province and submit a detailed report within four days.
He said the assessment would examine the condition of school buildings, evaluate existing safety arrangements, identify potential hazards and recommend necessary measures to protect students.
Expressing grief over the deaths of children in the Dir Colony school incident, Dr Abdullah stressed that student safety must remain the top priority for educational institutions and that all essential precautions should be taken to prevent similar tragedies.
He also attended the collective funeral prayers of the deceased and offered condolences to their bereaved families. He prayed for the eternal peace of the victims and for patience and strength for their loved ones.
Meanwhile, Samar Haroon Bilour, a member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advisory Council for Information and Public Relations, visited the site of the collapsed school building and expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
Describing the tragedy as heartbreaking, she said the grief of the affected families was shared by the entire country.
Bilour raised concerns over the apparent administrative negligence surrounding the building’s condition and questioned why regular inspections and monitoring had not been conducted.
She said using a poorly constructed three-storey building for educational purposes reflected serious negligence, adding that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
According to Bilour, the building’s owner had been arrested, while the education secretary had ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
She acknowledged that human lives could not be replaced but assured the affected families that compensation would be provided.
Referring to the National Action Plan, Bilour said it included measures for the registration and regulation of religious seminaries, but its implementation in the province had remained inadequate. She urged the relevant institutions to fulfil their responsibilities and introduce effective safeguards to prevent similar incidents.
Bilour also visited Lady Reading Hospital to assess the medical care being provided to children injured in the incident.
During the visit, she inquired about the condition of the children receiving treatment, met their families and expressed solidarity with them. She prayed for the injured children’s speedy recovery and assured the families of continued support.
She directed the hospital administration to provide the best possible medical facilities and ensure that no negligence occurred in the treatment and care of the injured children.
