CJP takes suo motu notice of attacks on Diamer schools

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday took suo motu notice of attacks on a dozen schools in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district, ARY News reported.

The chief justice has summoned reports from the Gilgit-Baltistan home secretary and Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan secretary in this regard. They are required to submit the reports within 48 hours.

Twelve schools – eight girls and four boys – were burnt down in various parts of Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district in the early hours of Friday. Though no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but attackers are believed to be militants opposed to girls’ education.

“The miscreants tried to damage around 12 schools in Diamir district. They tried to set fire to some of them and broke windows and doors of some others,” regional home secretary Jawad Akram said.

Akram said the local government had begun searching for the attackers.

Dildar Ahmed Malik, a senior official in Diamir district, said at least 10 of the burnt schools were for girls.

“The incident took place in a far-flung area. We are investigating it,” he said.

The schools that were burnt down include Girls Primary School located in Ronay, Chilas; Girls School Takya; Social Action Programme (SAP) Primary School in Hudur area; Primary School in Tabor village of Darel Valley; SAP Primary School in Tabor, Darel; Girls Primary School Sheegay Manikal, Darel Valley; Girls Primary School Galee Bala, Tangir Valley; Primary School Galee Bala, Tangir Valley;  Girls Primary School Khanbary; Girls Primary School Gyal Village.

Gilgit Baltistan has been relatively free of the militant violence that has plagued some other parts of Pakistan.

The region is home to world’s second highest mountain, K2, and numerous other peaks attracting mountaineers and tourists from around the world.

Like many other under-developed areas of Pakistan, basic education needs in Gilgit Baltistan are being met by private or community organisations, and a large number of primary schools have been set up by non-government organisations.

Education is a pressing issue in Pakistan, where government statistics show that more than 22 million children are out of school — the majority of them girls.