Precautionary measures: Five seminaries shut for security reasons

" Intelligence agencies had advised the administration for the closure of the seminaries," says an ICTA official

ISLAMABAD: The district administration has shut down five seminaries located near the Convention Centre for security reasons.

The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) had announced the closure of all seminaries located in two kilometres radius of the Convention Centre for three days, from August 12 to 14th.

An ICTA spokesperson said the step had been taken to provide security for the flag-hoisting ceremony scheduled to take place at the Convention Centre on 14th.

Secretariat Assistant Commissioner Waqas Rasheed told The Express Tribune on Saturday that a total of five seminaries had been closed in the area.

He said that it was a routine practice to shut down seminaries located around venues of important national celebrations and ceremonies.

An ICTA official said that the intelligence agencies had advised the administration for the closure of the seminaries.

Other security measures for the Independence Day ceremony include suspension of mobile phone, and possibly internet, services from 6am till noon.

The administration has also banned processions, rallies and gatherings of five or more persons in the capital under Section 144 for two months.

The Islamabad District Magistrate, Mushtaq Ahmed, has also prohibited use of loudspeakers (except for call for prayers and Friday sermons).

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2016.