KP governor announces Rs1m compensation for families of children killed in Peshawar school tragedy

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has announced financial assistance for families affected by the deadly school collapse in Peshawar’s Dir Colony.

Under the announced package, the family of each child killed in the tragedy will receive Rs1 million, while each injured person will receive Rs200,000.

The announcement came during the governor’s visit to the affected school, where he called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

The tragedy has raised serious concerns about school building safety, construction standards and the role of government departments responsible for inspecting such buildings.

The compensation is intended to provide financial support to affected families as they cope with the loss of loved ones and the medical needs of injured survivors.

Governor questions who approved the school building

During his visit, Kundi called on investigators to establish who issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the school building despite its reportedly deteriorating condition.

An NOC is an official document issued when certain approval requirements have been met. Investigators will need to determine which approvals were required for the school and whether the relevant rules were followed.

The governor said the investigation would examine the conduct of the school owner and the relevant government departments.

He stressed that responsibility should be established wherever negligence is proven. The inquiry is expected to examine the building’s condition, its approval documents and the role of officials involved in inspections and other regulatory processes.

Four-day deadline set for investigation

Kundi said the investigation would be completed within four days. He stressed that the government’s response should go beyond forming an inquiry committee and making public statements.

The governor criticised what he described as past responses to similar incidents, saying they often resulted in photo opportunities and committee proceedings without meaningful follow-up. He said the investigation must identify those responsible and lead to action wherever wrongdoing is established.

The four-day deadline puts pressure on the relevant authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding the collapse and report their findings promptly. However, the findings must be based on evidence, including construction records, inspection reports and the responsibilities of the individuals and departments involved.

Governor blames previous government over school audits

Kundi also criticised the previous provincial government, alleging that school building audits had not been carried out properly. He said the lack of effective inspections had allowed safety concerns to remain unresolved.

The governor called on investigators to examine whether the school had received the required approvals and whether government departments had fulfilled their responsibilities. His remarks have placed regulatory oversight at the centre of the investigation.

Also Read: Police register FIR over deadly Peshawar school roof collapse

The allegations against the previous government are claims made by the governor and must be assessed alongside official records and the inquiry’s findings. The investigation is expected to help establish whether the tragedy resulted from construction defects, inspection failures, poor maintenance or a combination of factors.

School owner arrested after deadly collapse

The announcement comes after police arrested school owner Khan Muhammad over alleged construction defects. Police have also registered a case against the school’s owners, shareholders and the contractor responsible for constructing the building.

According to the first information report (FIR), the school building was allegedly constructed using substandard materials and had deteriorating walls and roofs. The FIR also alleges that earlier complaints about the building’s condition were ignored.

These allegations form part of the police case. Investigators must determine whether they are supported by evidence and whether any individuals or departments failed to fulfil their legal responsibilities.

The arrest and registration of the case mark the beginning of the legal process. The allegations against those named in the case do not, by themselves, establish guilt.

Children and teacher killed, dozens injured

The school collapse caused a major tragedy in Dir Colony, Peshawar, while children were attending classes. The initial FIR recorded the deaths of 30 children and a female teacher, while 52 people were reported injured.

Later reports gave higher casualty figures, making it important for authorities to confirm the latest official death toll before publication.

The incident has left families grieving and raised serious questions about how a school building in such a condition was allowed to operate. The injured have required medical attention, while affected families are waiting for answers about the circumstances that led to the collapse.

School safety and accountability under scrutiny

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of school buildings and the need for regular structural inspections.

Buildings used by children must be checked for cracks, weak roofs, damaged walls and other signs of structural weakness. Any serious problem should be assessed by qualified professionals and addressed before classrooms are used again.

Authorities also need clear records showing whether buildings have received the required approvals and whether safety concerns have been reported.

The Peshawar investigation will need to establish whether the school met the applicable safety requirements and whether complaints or warning signs were overlooked. The findings could help authorities identify gaps in the inspection system and determine what measures are needed to prevent similar incidents.

What happens next?

The announced compensation will provide financial assistance to families affected by the tragedy. However, the inquiry has a separate responsibility: to establish how the collapse happened and whether anyone failed to fulfil their duties.

Investigators will need to examine the building’s construction, approval documents, previous complaints and the actions of the school management and relevant departments.

The governor has called for the investigation to be completed within four days and for action to be taken against anyone found responsible. The outcome will be important for the affected families and for wider efforts to improve school safety across the province.