Islamabad has been placed under a high security alert amid the possibility of protests, with unofficial holidays announced at girls’ educational institutions. Meanwhile, 48 schools in Rawalpindi have been handed over to police personnel arriving from other districts.
Sources said that more than 20 federal educational institutions in Islamabad have been placed under the control of the district administration and federal police. Police and security personnel called in from Punjab and other provinces will be accommodated at these institutions.
According to sources, unofficial holidays have been announced at girls’ educational institutions in the capital, while police personnel are expected to arrive at the institutions tonight. Authorities have also directed that additional educational institutions be kept in reserve.
Meanwhile, the administration is facing uncertainty over the operation of buses serving educational institutions located in Islamabad’s Red Zone, while parents are also concerned about the situation.
In Rawalpindi, 48 schools have been handed over to police personnel arriving from other districts in view of a possible protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a sit-in planned by Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan.
Chief Executive Officer of the District Education Authority, Yasin Baloch, said that all educational institutions would remain open as usual on September 21. He added that a new order would be issued if police personnel were deployed at the schools.
He clarified that no decision had so far been taken to announce holidays at schools across Rawalpindi district. However, once police forces arrive from other districts, 48 schools will be completely handed over to the police.
Sources said the 48 schools would be handed over to the police from Tuesday, September 22.
Meanwhile, the All Pakistan Private Schools Association has opposed the announcement of holidays in the city, citing concerns over the possible protests.