Pakistan Orders School Inspections After Peshawar Roof Collapse Kills Dozens

Pakistani authorities ordered inspections of all private schools in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after a school roof collapsed, killing 34 children and a teacher.

The provincial government announced an investigation into the cause of Thursday’s collapse at Al-Khair school in Peshawar. Police arrested the school’s owner, Mohammad Khan, on Thursday. Peshawar Police Chief Saeed Ahmed stated the building was structurally weak, and Khan told officers recent rains had weakened one of the roofs. Relatives of victims reported warning Khan about rainwater seeping into classrooms.

The government order directs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s education department to establish district committees to inspect private school buildings across the province, submitting findings and recommendations within three days. Inspections must cover roofs, ceilings, walls, columns, beams, foundations, and staircases, classifying buildings as safe, in need of repairs, or potentially unsafe. The Private Schools Regulatory Authority is directed to prepare comprehensive safety regulations for private educational institutions within seven days, covering structural safety, building codes, regular inspections, classroom limits, and emergency exits.

Governor Kunid also directed officials to identify officers who issued no objection certificates to schools, with a report due in 15 days. Building collapses are common in Pakistan due to poor safety standards.