The Punjab government has announced compensation for families affected by the Kahna tuition centre tragedy, where a roof collapse claimed the lives of 14 innocent children and left several others injured. Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Zeeshan Malik said Rs2 million will be given to the family of each deceased child. He said Rs500,000 will be provided to each injured person. The tragedy took place in Lahore’s Kahna area, where a tuition centre was being run inside a house.

According to reports, children were studying below while soil was being poured above the roof to lay tiles. The weak TR-girder roof could not bear the weight and collapsed on the children. The incident has raised serious questions about the safety of the building and the legal status of the tuition centre. Families are asking whether the building was fit for use, under what rules the centre was operating and what steps will be taken to prevent such accidents in the future.

The scenes after the collapse were heartbreaking, with scattered books, blood-soaked beds, injured children in hospital corridors and grieving parents searching for answers. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice of the incident and sought a report from authorities. Police have arrested three people, including the landlord and a mechanic. However, the affected families continue to ask who will be held responsible for the loss of 14 young lives.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)