At least 12 schools burned down in northern Pakistan
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 3 August 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, At least 12 schools burned down in northern Pakistan, 3 August 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bc051efa.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 03, 2018 08:28 GMT
An estimated 25 million Pakistani children do not attend school.
Pakistani police say at least 12 schools have been burned down in what officials suspect were coordinated attacks in the country's north.
The attacks occurred early on August 3 in the Diamer district in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region.
There were no casualties because the schools – half of them for girls only – were closed at the time.
No group claimed responsibility for the alleged arson attacks, although similar incidents in the past have been blamed on militants.
Following the fires, residents staged a protest demanding the arrest of the culprits and greater safety for schools.
Police have announced the launching of a criminal probe.
Gilgit-Baltistan is a remote and mountainous area that borders Afghanistan, China, and the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
Pakistan faces significant education challenges, with an estimated 25 million children out of school, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
HRW said in a 2017 report that Pakistani militants have destroyed school buildings, targeted teachers and students, and terrorized parents into keeping their children out of school.
Based on reporting by Dawn, Geo TV, and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
