LAHORE:Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has termed the roof collapse at a private school in Peshawar a tragic national calamity, saying innocent children had fallen victim to the negligence and incompetence of the rulers.

In a statement on X, he said the entire nation was mourning the deaths of 35 people, including children and a female teacher, in the incident in the provincial capital.

He pointed out that similar incidents involving building collapses had also occurred in Karachi and Lahore, questioning why successive governments had failed to prevent such tragedies despite ruling provinces for decades.

'Political parties have ruled provinces for 40 years, 18 years and 13 years, yet they are unwilling to empower local governments and elected representatives at the grassroots level,' he said.

Rehman argued that the absence of an empowered local government system was a major reason for such incidents. He said that while numerous departments demanded bribes when someone sought to construct a building, no one took notice when residents reported that an existing structure had become dilapidated.

He said placing building control departments under elected local governments rather than provincial governments could help prevent such tragedies. It would also enable local representatives and residents to hold responsible officials accountable promptly, he added.

'The only solution is to establish empowered municipal governments across the country. This is true democracy and the way to resolve these problems,' he said.

Expressing profound grief over the loss of lives in Peshawar, the JI chief extended condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for patience for the parents and relatives of the deceased and an early recovery for those injured.

He urged the government and district administration to ensure immediate and free medical treatment for the injured children, saying Jamaat-e-Islami shared the grief of the affected families.

The JI Emir also directed the party's local leadership and Alkhidmat Foundation to launch relief activities, contact the families of the deceased and injured, assess their needs and provide all possible assistance, including medical care.

He stressed that the affected families must receive timely support and should not be left alone to cope with the tragedy.