Islamabad universities go online as 30,000 security personnel prepare for Islamabad protest
ISLAMABAD – As the atmosphere around Islamabad and Rawalpindi remains tense and security has been tightened on key roads and thousands of personnel have been deployed, several universities have already moved classes online, giving students an early sign of the expected disruption ahead of a planned protest march.
The Wah and Attock campuses of HITEC University Taxila and COMSATS University Islamabad have announced that their academic activities will go online from September 24 and will continue virtually until further notice.
COMSATS University Islamabad has separately informed students that classes at its Islamabad campus will also be held online from September 24, teaching to follow the pre-approved semester time table. The university has directed the concerned departments to make arrangements for uninterrupted educational activities.
The sudden change comes as authorities have dramatically increased security in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Taxila and Attock ahead of a planned protest march to the federal capital on September 27.
Strategic road links between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region make Attock a major hub for security operations.
Containers and other barricades have been erected at important crossings while security has been tightened along GT Road, Motorway, Chich Interchange, Attock Bridge, Haroon Bridge and Ghazi Brotha Bridge.
According to reports, around 30,000 security personnel have been deployed in Attock, while educational institutions have also been temporarily closed in some parts of Hazro.
Security measures have also been increased on major highways. According to the National Highways and Motorway Police, Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1), M-14 and a section of GT Road at Attock Khurd have been ordered to be closed indefinitely.
The Punjab government has also asked for the deployment of Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali in preparation for the expected protest activities. According to a letter from the Punjab Home Department, the request covers the period from September 22 to October 5, seeking three companies of Rangers for Rawalpindi, five for Attock and one each for Jhelum and Mianwali, Dawn reported.
A separate Section 144 has been imposed across Punjab, banning public gatherings, processions and assemblies during specified periods. The education infrastructure of Islamabad has also reached the peak of preparations.
Authorities have taken control of 24 government educational institutions in the capital to keep security personnel deployed for security.
The development comes in the backdrop of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s announcement of a march towards Islamabad on September 27, in which the party is demanding the release of its founder Imran Khan.
Meanwhile, Punjab authorities have also requested possible restrictions on mobile and internet services in selected areas of Rawalpindi and Attock on September 27, citing the expected law and order situation.
The post Islamabad universities have gone online, 30,000 security personnel ready for Islamabad protest appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.
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