Schools, Colleges in Islamabad, Punjab Shut Down Due to Security Concerns

Pakistani authorities have announced the closure of all public and private schools and colleges in Islamabad and Punjab province on December 16, citing “security concerns,” Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported yesterday.

According to the source, the decision was made in light of the current security situation. On December 15, it was reported that this directive was issued by security and education officials in several Punjab cities, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad.

While specific reasons for the closures in Islamabad and Lahore were not disclosed, the Commissioner of Rawalpindi indicated that schools in the area would close to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 2014 Army Public School attack in Peshawar, where 147 people, mostly children, were killed by militants.

Educational and security officials are apprehensive about the potential for similar attacks on this significant anniversary. The school closures are viewed as a precautionary measure to mitigate any threats and ensure the safety of students and educational institutions during this sensitive period.