KOHAT, June 22: Unknown militants destroyed a government primary school for girls here in Ghulam Banda in the wee hours of Friday.

Officials said that militants detonated two explosive devices at the government primary school, which flattened its three-room building and boundary wall. They said that police and bomb disposal squad reached the school in the morning and collected evidence from the area.

The bomb disposal squad said in its report that militants had used two time devices each weighing 10 kilogrammes to destroy the building.

NO GIRLS EDUCATION: At least 29 government primary schools for girls are lying non-functional in remote areas of Hangu district for last five years, as teachers could not go there due to absence of public transport.

The buildings of these schools have been turned into warehouses by local people and all female staff of these schools is performing duty in other areas. The teachers have been adjusted in other schools by the education department in clear violation of the government orders.

The provincial government had already banned adjustment of teachers in other schools and notified that the education staff must perform duties in schools of their appointment.

Talking to Dawn on phone from Hangu, official sources confirmed that these schools had been closed due to absence of facilities and transport in the far-flung areas, and not because of fear of Taliban attacks.

They said that if the government arranged some kind of special transport service, the teachers would be ready to go there and thus future of thousands of children could be saved.

The officials said that there was a serious transportation problem in these areas and the only people going there from proper Hangu used their own vehicles. Moreover, the executive district officer (education) is on a long leave, whereas the post of his deputy has been lying vacant from last few years.

Opinion

Editorial

Holding the line
16 Mar, 2026

Holding the line

PAKISTAN’S long battle against polio has recently produced encouraging signs. Data from the national eradication...
Power self-reliance
Updated 16 Mar, 2026

Power self-reliance

PAKISTAN’S transition to domestic sources of electricity is a welcome development for a country that has long been...
Looking for safety
16 Mar, 2026

Looking for safety

AS the Middle East conflict enters its third week, the war’s most enduring victims are not those who wage it....
Battling hate
Updated 15 Mar, 2026

Battling hate

In the current scenario, geopolitical conflict, racial prejudice and religious bigotry all contribute to the threats Muslims face.
TB drugs shortage
15 Mar, 2026

TB drugs shortage

‘CRIMINAL negligence’ is the phrase that jumps to mind when one considers the disturbing consequences of the...
Chinese diplomacy
Updated 14 Mar, 2026

Chinese diplomacy

THERE are signs that China is taking a more active role in trying to resolve the issue of cross-border terrorism...