International Islamic University Islamabad goes online till April 24, exams postponed
Pakistani flags installed in front of the President’s House as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for the second phase of peace talks in Islamabad on 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 Iran-US talks in Islamabad.
International Islamic University Islamabad said all classes will be held online from April 20 to 24, according to a release. The university also postponed mid-term exams scheduled for April 20 to 21.
The administration instituted a 4-day work week for non-teaching staff, from Monday to Thursday, with 50% of staff working from home. This policy will remain in place from April 20th to April 30th.
Separately, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi announced that all classes will be conducted online from April 18 to 26. The university’s main campus will remain closed for a week, according to an official release.
The announcement also stated that “all students staying in university hostels are hereby directed to vacate the hostels immediately,” adding that employees, including officers, teachers and staff, “must perform their duties from home during this period,” while essential staff will remain available as needed.
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Medical University has postponed all scheduled examinations for Allied Health Sciences. The university administration said the decision was 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 arrangements have also been put in place in Rawalpindi ahead of the talks. More than 10,000 police officers have been deployed and over 600 checkpoints have been established across the city. Authorities have announced that from midnight tonight several sensitive areas around Nur Khan Airbase and Islamabad International Airport will be sealed off.
Read: Iran says no date set for next round of talks with US
A complete ban on drone flying, pigeon flying and shooting from the air has been introduced. Officials say these measures are aimed at ensuring the safety of planes carrying high-level foreign delegations.
A police spokesman said that the extraordinary measures are in response 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 Line headquarters where directives were issued to ensure foolproof security.
Security measures also include closure of all boys and girls hostels in Rawalpindi until further notice. Police have sent notices to all hostel owners who have been ordered to vacate their hostels by midnight on Saturday. The warning issued has directed boys and girls living in the hostels to return to their homes and legal action to be taken against those who fail to comply.
Federal capital limited
Security has also been put on high alert on sensitive routes in Islamabad where the administration has begun the process of obtaining security certificates from the owners of buildings situated on these routes.
However, there has been no official announcement from either side about the time frame 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 on Israel and other regional countries that host American assets.
The war has been on hold since April 8, when Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire.
