International Islamic University Islamabad to be online till April 24 and exams postponed
Pakistani flags installed in front of the president’s house, as Pakistan prepares to host the United States and Iran in the second phase of peace talks in Islamabad, April 18, 2026. Photo: Reuters
ISLAMABAD:
Several universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Sunday announced changes to academic schedules, shifting classes online and postponing exams ahead of the expected final round of talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad.
The International Islamic University Islamabad said all classes will be held online from April 20 to 24, according to a notification. The university also postponed midterms scheduled for April 20 and 21.
The administration introduced a four-day work week for non-teaching staff, Monday to Thursday, with 50% of staff working from home. This policy will remain in effect from April 20 to 30.
Separately, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi announced that all classes will be held online from April 18 to 26. The main campus of the university will remain closed for a week, according to an official notification.
The notification also stated that “all students residing in university hostels are hereby directed to vacate the hostels immediately”, adding that employees, including officials, teachers and staff, “shall perform their duties from home during this period”, while essential staff would remain available as required.
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Medical University has postponed all scheduled exams for Allied Health Sciences. The university administration said the decision has been taken to facilitate students in the prevailing uncertain circumstances.
New dates for the postponed exams will be announced in due course, the administration added.
High alert before high-level conversations
Extraordinary security measures have also been taken in Rawalpindi ahead of the talks. More than 10,000 police officers have been deployed and more than 600 checkpoints have been established throughout the city. Authorities have announced that, starting at midnight tonight, several sensitive areas surrounding Nur Khan Air Base and Islamabad International Airport will be sealed.
Read: Iran says there is no date set for the next round of negotiations with the US.
A complete ban has been imposed on drone flying, pigeon flying and aerial shooting. Officials say these measures are aimed at ensuring the safety of planes carrying high-level foreign delegations.
A police spokesman said the extraordinary measures respond to the movement of foreign delegations. A high-level meeting, chaired by Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO), Syed Khalid Mehmood Hamdani, was held at the Police Lines headquarters where directives were issued to ensure foolproof security.
The security measures also include the closure of all boys and girls hostels in Rawalpindi until further notice. Police sent notices to all hostel owners, who were ordered to vacate by midnight on Saturday. The warning issued has instructed boys and girls staying in shelters to return to their homes, and legal action will be taken against those who do not comply.
Restricted federal capital
Security on sensitive routes in Islamabad has also been put on high alert and the administration has started the process of obtaining security certificates from owners of buildings located on these routes.
However, neither side has made any official announcement regarding the schedule for the next round of talks.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran, and Tehran retaliated with attacks against Israel and other countries in the region that host American assets.
The war has been on hold since April 8, when Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire.
