QUETTA: Senate Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan Nasar has said those responsible for the fire that burnt one of Quetta’s most historic educational institutes would be identified and held to task.

He made these remarks while visiting the damaged college building with Balochistan Education Minister Raheela Hameed Durrani on Saturday.

The two leaders expressed concerns over the damage caused by the fire and said the committee appointed to probe the incident would submit its reports in 20 days.

They said the construction and renovation work will be started after the inquiry is completed.

Mr Nasar said the institution held historic importance and its alumni went on to become judges, bureaucrats, engineers, lawyers, educationists and politicians.

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Mr Nasar, himself an alumnus of the college, called the fire “a sad and deplorable incident”.

He urged the people not to believe rumours being spread about the incident and said the probe committee would bring all facts to light.

“No negligence will be tolerated in the investigation,” the Senate leader said, adding that he had talked to the Balochistan police chief and other authorities, who have ensured a fair inquiry.

The education minister also dispelled the impression that the college building would be allotted to some other institution.

“There is no truth in such rumours, and no such plan is under consideration,” Ms Durrani said, adding that the government was taking steps to improve the education system.

Ms Durrani said everyone was “deeply disturbed” by the fire at the college, which caused significant destruction.

Postgraduate Government Sciences College Principal Azmat Khan Kakar, Vice Principal Ziaul Haq and other officials briefed the Senate deputy chairman and education minister about the fire that burnt four rooms of the college and some other portions.

Multi-party presser

Leaders of several political parties have also sought a thorough investigation into the fire incident.

Awami National Party (ANP) Provincial President Asghar Khan Achakzai said students’ organisations should be made part of the inquiry committee for an independent probe.

While addressing a press conference, Mr Achakzai said a roundtable conference should be called to uncover facts about the fire.

Pashtoonkhwa National Awami Party provincial president Nasarullah Khan Zerey, National Party’s Aslam Baloch and Ahmad Jan of National Democratic Movement were also present during the press conference.

They called to reopen the college hostel, which has been closed for a long time and demanded that students be given accommodation there.

The leader also demanded the withdrawal of Frontier Corps from Balochistan University, an end to the ban on student unions and enforced disappearances in educational institutions.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2024