Police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have confirmed that the Peshawar school owner arrested on 16 October is Khan Muhammad, the owner of the private school in Dir Colony where roofs collapsed during classes on 15 October 2026. The tragedy took the lives of 30 children and a female teacher, while 52 people were injured, according to the latest report.
The arrest is the first major legal step after the Peshawar school roof collapse, which has shocked parents and teachers across the country. Below we explain the case, the allegations in the FIR and what this tragedy means for school building safety in Pakistan.
Peshawar School Owner Arrested: What Police Said
An investigation officer confirmed that Khan Muhammad was taken into custody. He is accused of using poor-quality material in the construction of the school building. Police say they are also searching for the other people named in the case.
The case has been registered on behalf of the state at Agha Mir Jani Shah police station under Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with deaths caused without the intention to kill.
Who Is Named in the FIR
The First Information Report (FIR) does not only name the owner. It also includes the school’s shareholders and the construction contractor. Police say raids are being carried out to arrest the remaining suspects.
Allegations About the Dir Colony School Building
Now that the Peshawar school owner arrested in this case is in police custody, the details of the FIR have become public. The FIR paints a worrying picture of the Dir Colony school. It says the management ignored repeated complaints about cracked walls and a weak roof. Students themselves had reportedly raised concerns about safety, and the FIR describes the premises as dilapidated and unfit for use as a school.
According to the report, the school was running on a 16-marla property that had been leased in 2024. Investigators are now checking how the building was approved for use and whether any safety inspection had ever been done.
The Owner’s Defence
The arrested owner has blamed several days of heavy rain for the collapse. Investigators, however, are examining the construction quality and whether the warnings from staff and students were ever addressed.
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Government Support for Victims’ Families
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced financial assistance of Rs. 1 million for the families of the children who lost their lives. Relatives of the victims are demanding a full and transparent investigation, and they want everyone responsible to be held accountable.
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School Building Safety: Lessons for Every School
This tragedy is a painful reminder that a school is only as safe as its building. Teachers, head teachers and parents can play a role in preventing such incidents:
- Report cracks in walls, leaking roofs or sagging ceilings to the school administration in writing.
- Ask for a structural check after heavy rain, especially in older or rented buildings.
- Do not hold classes in rooms that show visible damage until an engineer inspects them.
- Parents can ask private schools whether their buildings are registered and inspected.
The Role of Regulators
Private schools in KP schools and across Pakistan must be registered with provincial authorities. Many education experts are now calling for regular building audits as part of the registration and renewal process, so that unsafe premises are identified before disaster strikes.
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Peshawar School Owner Arrested: What Happens Next
With the Peshawar school owner arrested, attention has shifted to the remaining accused. Police will continue the hunt for the remaining suspects, while investigators collect evidence about the building’s construction. The arrested owner is expected to face court proceedings under the charges listed in the FIR. Further updates are likely as the inquiry moves forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been arrested in the Peshawar school collapse case?
School owner Khan Muhammad has been arrested. Shareholders and the contractor are also named in the FIR.
Under which law has the case been registered?
The case is registered under Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code at Agha Mir Jani Shah police station.
How many people died in the collapse?
The report states that 30 children and a female teacher died, and 52 people were injured.
Source: ProPakistani report
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