Inquiry blames substandard construction for deadly Peshawar school collapse
A Peshawar school collapse inquiry blames substandard construction and alleged government negligence as the governor calls for legal action and safety audits.
Kamran Ali
Correspondent Nukta
Kamran Ali, a seasoned journalist from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, has a decade of experience covering terrorism, human rights, politics, economy, climate change, culture, and sports. With an MS in Media Studies, he has worked across print, radio, TV, and digital media, producing investigative reports and co-hosting shows that highlight critical issues.
Rescue operations are underway after a school roof collapsed in Peshawar’s Dir Colony on Thursday, October 15.
An inquiry into the Oct. 15 Peshawar school collapse that killed 33 children has held the building's owner responsible for using substandard construction materials and identified alleged negligence by government departments. The report was submitted to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, who called for strict action.
What did the Peshawar school collapse inquiry find?
The reports found the building was constructed as a residence in 2011 and was not designed for use as a school. No building plan for the property was available in Capital Metropolitan Government Peshawar records. According to the findings, the roof collapsed under the combined weight of students and furniture.
The first-floor section then fell onto the ground floor. The first-floor walls were made of unplastered cement bricks, while the roof consisted of wooden battens and burnt bricks, making the structure unsuitable for use as a school.
Who submitted the reports behind the inquiry?
The Education Department said the Capital Metropolitan Government Peshawar's Eastern Zone, the district administration and police submitted separate reports to the inquiry committee. The committee used them to compile its final findings on the collapse of Al-Khair Education System School in Peshawar's Dir Colony.
According to the Governor House, the committee briefed Kundi on the causes of the collapse, statements recorded from relevant officials, departmental responsibilities, and its findings and recommendations. It then submitted the report. Dozens of other people were injured in the incident, according to an official report.
What action has the governor ordered after the Peshawar school collapse?
Kundi called for consultation with the Law Department to review the report's legal implications. He directed authorities to take strict action against those found responsible.
Following the collapse, Kundi ordered safety inspections and audits of all public and private schools in the province. He also directed authorities to draft legislation allowing the closure of institutions that fail to meet safety standards.
The incident has raised questions about building safety inspections and the regulation of private schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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