O/A Level exams suspended in Islamabad, Punjab for May 9

Cambridge International Education (CIE) and the British Council have cancelled all examinations scheduled for Friday (today), May 9, in select regions of Pakistan due to the deteriorating security situation.

The suspension affects students sitting for O Level, IGCSE, and International AS & A Level exams in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Islamabad Capital Territory, and Punjab province. The decision applies to both Cambridge Direct and British Council-affiliated schools.

In a joint statement, the two organisations confirmed that the cancellation is limited to exams scheduled for Friday only. They added that further updates regarding exams set for Monday, May 12, will be communicated to schools by Sunday evening.

“Our priority is to support the safety of students and staff, and help students progress with their education,” the statement read. “Where exams are cancelled, we use our expertise and well-established processes to ensure fair grades are awarded,” it added.

Students have been urged to monitor only the official Cambridge and British Council Pakistan platforms for reliable updates. Private candidates have been advised to contact British Council Customer Services, while school candidates should liaise directly with their institutions.