Peshawar School Roof Collapse Victims’ Families Demand Justice

Peshawar School Roof Collapse Victims’ Families Demand Justice

Families of children killed in a devastating school roof collapse in Peshawar are demanding justice and accountability, as grief and anger grow following the tragedy.

The roof of Al-Khair School in Peshawar’s Dir Colony area collapsed on October 15, killing dozens of children and a female teacher. Reports on Friday placed the death toll at 34 students and one teacher, although figures varied across initial reports.

Bereaved parents say the loss has devastated their families and called on authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Some relatives alleged that concerns about water leaking into classrooms and the building’s condition had been raised before the collapse.

Police have arrested the school’s owner as investigators examine the cause of the collapse. Peshawar’s police chief said the building was structurally weak, while the owner reportedly told officers that recent rains had weakened the roof. The investigation is ongoing, and responsibility has yet to be determined.

The provincial government has ordered inspections of private school buildings across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with officials directed to assess structural safety and submit findings within days. Authorities have also pledged action against those found negligent.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi announced compensation of Rs1 million for each bereaved family and Rs300,000 for each injured person. He also called for school building audits and warned that those responsible for negligence would face legal consequences.

The tragedy has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of construction standards and regular safety inspections at educational institutions, with families insisting that the loss of their children must lead to meaningful accountability and measures to prevent similar incidents.