Many parents in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are concerned about the status of schools following reports circulating on social media that authorities in Rawalpindi have decided to close educational institutions, markets and transport terminals from September 21 to 27.
The reported closures are said to be linked to multiple planned protest marches and sit-ins expected to take place in the city during this period. However, no official notification regarding the closure of schools and educational institutions has been issued by the authorities in either Rawalpindi or Islamabad at the time of filing this report.
Parents are advised to rely on official announcements from the relevant authorities and their children’s schools regarding any changes to the schedule.
However, news is circulating in the media that all schools, colleges and universities in Rawalpindi will remain closed during the period as part of security arrangements linked to several planned protest marches. Hotels, motels, rest houses and inns will also reportedly remain closed, while transport and goods terminals are expected to suspend operations.
Metro Bus and Green Electric Bus services are also likely to remain suspended during the period, potentially affecting daily commuters in Rawalpindi and the surrounding areas. Markets and wholesale markets across the city are also expected to remain closed, with the measures likely to disrupt business and commercial activities throughout the week.
On the other hand, security measures are being stepped up in Rawalpindi and Islamabad to maintain law and order ahead of Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) train march and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned long march. As part of the arrangements, Punjab Police has written to the district administration, requesting the closure of 48 educational institutions in Rawalpindi.
It is reported that around 15,000 police personnel from different districts across Punjab will be accommodated in government schools as part of the security arrangements. The police personnel are expected to reach the twin cities within the next two to three days, with their deployment potentially continuing until October 1, according to sources. The district administration is expected to make a decision soon on whether to close schools or declare a public holiday in the affected areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.