QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of children in the collapse of a school roof in Peshawar, extending condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Calling the incident heartbreaking, Bugti said the loss of young lives was deeply distressing. He expressed solidarity with the grieving families and conveyed his sympathies over the tragedy.
The incident has also prompted questions about school safety, regulatory oversight and accountability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) remained in power for more than 13 years before its provincial government was removed.
The collapse at a private school in Peshawar’s Dair Colony reportedly killed a teacher and 30 children, according to the figures cited in the initial account. The casualty toll should be confirmed against the latest official update before publication.
Questions have emerged over what measures were taken during PTI’s extended tenure to ensure the structural safety of educational institutions, enforce building regulations and protect students from preventable hazards.
Reports have also linked the school’s owner to PTI, although that association does not by itself establish responsibility for the collapse. The building’s condition, the enforcement of safety standards and the circumstances leading to the incident require independent investigation.
The tragedy has also prompted calls for political commentators, journalists and social media influencers to address school safety and accountability regardless of political affiliation.
The priority, however, remains a transparent investigation, the identification of any individuals or institutions found responsible, and measures to prevent similar incidents.
Authorities have yet to establish the definitive cause of the collapse. Any conclusions about negligence or responsibility should await the findings of the investigation.
