News @ 3 - 4th July 2018

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday took suo motu notice of attacks on a dozen schools in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district, ARY News reported.

The chief justice has summoned reports from the Gilgit-Baltistan home secretary and Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan secretary in this regard. They are required to submit the reports within 48 hours.

Twelve schools – eight girls and four boys – were burnt down in various parts of Giltit-Baltistan’s Diamer district in the early hours of Friday. Though no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but attackers are believed to be militants opposed to girls’ education.

“The miscreants tried to damage around 12 schools in Diamir district. They tried to set fire to some of them and broke windows and doors of some others,” regional home secretary Jawad Akram said.

Akram said the local government had begun searching for the attackers.

Dildar Ahmed Malik, a senior official in Diamir district, said at least 10 of the burnt schools were for girls.

“The incident took place in a far-flung area. We are investigating it,” he said.