NCA closed, hostel evacuated over ‘security threat’

Decision taken on direction of law enforcement agencies, says college official

LAHORE: Following Thursday’s explosion in the Punjab capital, which officials said was a cylinder blast, the National College of Arts, Lahore evacuated its hostel and closed the institution for a week on Friday.

The blast tore through a shopping centre in the upscale Defence neighbourhood, killing eight people and leaving 39 others injured.

According to college officials, the decision was taken on the direction of law enforcement agencies. “College will resume activities after security clearance."



In this regard, the official said, a meeting was being held at the DCO office, where the NCA administration was working out with government bodies to ensure the safety of its students. The meeting was ongoing until the filing of this report.

SP City Muhammad Naveed told The Express Tribune that owing to the current security situation across the country, police were checking security arrangements at all 'A' category educational institutions.

Meanwhile, police began a search operation at the University of Punjab, with students told to vacate the hostels at the earliest.

Pakistan Army launched Operation ‘Radd-ul-Fasad’ on Wednesday following a string of terrorist attacks, which left over 100 people dead across the country.