In a statement posted on social media platform X, Hafiz Naeem said the entire nation was mourning the loss of lives and alleged that children had become victims of the negligence and incompetence of those in power.
He stressed that the incident had occurred in Peshawar, a provincial capital, rather than in a remote area. He also referred to similar fatal building collapse incidents in Karachi and Lahore.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief questioned why political parties that had governed provinces for decades had failed to establish effective local government systems and transfer powers to elected representatives at the grassroots level.
He alleged that when construction work begins on a building, officials from multiple departments arrive seeking bribes, while complaints from local residents about deteriorating buildings often go unaddressed.
Hafiz Naeem called for building control departments to be placed under local governments rather than provincial administrations.
He argued that transferring these departments to elected local representatives could help prevent such tragedies and allow residents to hold those responsible accountable more quickly.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief said empowering local governments was essential for addressing public problems and ensuring a sustainable solution to issues affecting communities.
