UPPER DIR, June 11: The building of a girls’ high school in the Wari area was burnt by some people on Wednesday morning —the second such incident in less than a week.

Local people said the accused had sprinkled petrol inside two blocks of the school at 2:45am and set it on fire, destroying six rooms of the building.

The school watchman fired in the air to alert area people, who rushed to the school in panic and started efforts to put out the blaze.

The incident disrupted the school examinations as students could not take their papers on Wednesday.

The watchman in an FIR lodged with the Wari police said electricity supply was suspended and he was sleeping when the building was set on fire. He added that as he saw the flames, he started firing in the air to alert area people.

Meanwhile, Upper Dir Nazim Sahibzada Tariqullah condemned the recent attacks on girls’ schools and said: “Burning and destroying government buildings will not serve Islam or the region.”

Speaking at a gathering of clerks, he resolved to stop the attacks. “I cannot remain a silent spectator in this situation when peace of my district is being destroyed. I don’t want to see my district turned into Swat. I will fight even if I faced a threat to my life,” he said.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...