Peshawar School Owner Arrested; Inquiry Ordered

Police in Peshawar have arrested the owner of the private school in Dir Colony where a roof collapse occurred on Thursday, October 15, triggering a major rescue operation. The Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar confirmed the arrest and said the institution had been operating under the name of an educational trust. He said the building had been poorly constructed, which police say contributed to the tragedy and which will be examined in the investigation.

Government Response

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow, prayed for the deceased, including innocent children, and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. He directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and instructed officials to accelerate rescue and relief operations at the site.

• KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed grief, called the loss of precious young lives an extremely painful tragedy, sought a detailed report on the incident, and directed the authorities to determine the cause of the collapse.

Rescue Conditions

A Rescue service spokesperson said heavy machinery was not being used because the building remained structurally unstable. The narrow streets around the site also made it difficult to bring heavy equipment close to the damaged structure, and rescue teams continued their work under these challenges.