PESHAWAR: The North Waziristan conflict, which has left over 955,900 tribesmen homeless, has thrown the future of 86,323 students from government schools in the troubled tribal agency into uncertainty.
The number of children enrolled in private schools in Miramshah, Mirali and other parts of the agency is not known, however.
Children have suffered physically, socially and mentally due to the eight years of uncertainty and violence in the area. And now, displacement has adversely affected their academic careers.
The Zarb-i-Azb military operation, which was launched against militants in North Waziristan on June 18, is taking a heavy toll on children of other Fata agencies, too, where schools and other educational institutions have been closed for an indefinite period for security reasons.
Like in other tribal areas, the education sector in North Waziristan is in shambles due to militancy.
Passenger van crash kills 18
PESHAWAR: A passenger van plunged nearly 140 metres into a ravine in northwestern Pakistan yesterday, killing 18 people, officials said.
The accident happened in the Peshowra area, 250 kilometres northeast of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
“A passenger van was going to Thakot town from Battagram when it fell in a 450-foot deep ravine, killing 18 passengers including women and children,” senior local administration official Zarif-ul-Maani said.
He said it seemed the driver lost control of the van on a steep turn in the mountainous region.
This is second serious road accident this week. At least 12 people were killed and 14 injured when a passenger van plunged into a ravine in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Sunday.
Pakistan has an appalling record of fatal traffic accidents due to poor roads, badly-maintained vehicles and reckless driving.
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