It was founded by Maulana Abdul Haq along the lines of the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary in India, where he had taught.
It has been dubbed the ‘University of Jihad’ due to its methods and content of instruction, along with the future occupations of its alumni.
A number of leading members of the Taliban, including former chief Akhtar Mansour, studied here.
Rescue teams rushed to the site and removed the bodies and evacuated the injured to the hospital.
An emergency was declared in both Nowshera and Peshawar hospitals.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leaders have appealed for blood donation for the injured.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur condemned the tragic incident and sought a comprehensive report from the authorities concerned on all aspects of the attack.
Gandapur called the attack an inhuman act to kill innocent people in a place of worship.
He says no amount of condemnation is enough for such brutality and ordered the use of all available resources to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz prayed for the swift recovery of the injured worshippers.
She labelled the attack during Friday prayers an act of open terrorism, affirming that Pakistan will win the war against terrorism, emphasising that the entire nation stands united.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi urgently contacted higher authorities regarding the blast.
He has also sought a detailed report on the incident from relevant authorities.
He called the blast in Jamia Haqqania a conspiracy of forces hostile to Islam and Pakistan.
“The province will suffer for an unknown time due to the incompetence and communalism of the provincial government,” Kundi said.
The JUI spokesperson condemned the blast, calling it deeply regrettable.
“Even mosques and madrassas are no longer safe,” says Aslam Ghauri, blaming the government for failing to maintain peace and order.
He accused the authorities of prioritising cricket over national security.
He prayed for the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.