Schools to remain closed for two more days

RAWALPINDI:

Due to the deteriorating political situation in the country, the Ministry of Education Wednesday announced the closure of all public and private educational institutions across Punjab including Rawalpindi for two more days.

The announcement came a day after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and deposed premier Imran Khan was rounded up from inside the premises of the Islamabad High Court in the Al-Qadir Trust Case.

All public and private educational institutions across the district remained completely closed on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the committee of all education boards of Punjab also cancelled the grade IX annual board exams to be held on May 11 and 12 (Thursday and Friday) for the same reason. A formal notification was also issued in this regard.

According to the circular, issued by the Ministry of Education, all the deputy commissioners and district education officers were directed to implement the orders.

Soon after the official announcement, All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association President Irfan Muzaffar Kayani also announced to keep all private schools closed for two days and said that private schools will now open from May 15 (Monday).

Rawalpindi Board spokesperson Arslan Cheema said that the new dates of the cancelled papers will be announced later.

On Wednesday, the Cambridge and grade IX exams were also not conducted due to the volatile political situation in the garrison city.

Meanwhile, a strike was observed against Rangers’ alleged vandalism in the District Kachehri, the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench and the Islamabad High Court and lawyers did not appear before the courts in protest while a large number of lawyers continued to appear in the courts as usual.

Due to the tense situation, businesses in the commercial centres and markets were also badly affected. The number of buyers in the commercial centres and bazaars was negligible.

PTI workers roamed around in groups while shouting slogans and hiding in the streets as LEA personnel patrolled throughout the day.

The security situation in the cantonment areas was also very tight with a large number of police and LEA personnel deployed at all sensitive installations and office areas.

Metro Bus Service suspended

On the other hand, the Metro Bus service was suspended in the garrison city following the violent protests by PTI activists.

The public faced difficulty commuting due to the suspension of the Metro Bus Service in Rawalpindi.

The service was suspended after Shamshabad, 6th Road, and Faizabad metro stations were vandalised by violent protesters. Police conducted raids against the protesters in different parts of the city.

According to a police spokesperson, 190 people have been arrested by the Rawalpindi police as a result of a crackdown against PTI leaders, workers, and supporters to maintain law and order.

He said: “190 people have been arrested so far in four FIRs registered in Civil Lines, Waris Khan, City and Sadiqabad Police Stations.”

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP

 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2023.