International Islamic University Islamabad is open until April 24 and exams are postponed
Pakistani flags displayed in front of the President’s House, as Pakistan prepares to host the United States and Iran for the second phase of peace talks in Islamabad, April 18, 2026. Photo: Reuters
ISLAMABAD:
Several universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi announced changes to academic timetables on Sunday, moving classes online and postponing exams ahead of the final round of Iran-US talks scheduled in Islamabad.
The International Islamic University Islamabad said all classes would be held online from April 20 to 24, according to a notification. The university also postponed midterm exams scheduled for April 20 and 21.
The administration implemented a four-day work week for non-teaching staff, Monday through Thursday, with 50% of staff working from home. This policy will remain in effect from April 20 to 30.
Meanwhile, 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 said that “all students residing in the university hostels are requested to vacate the hostels immediately,” adding that employees, including officers, faculty and staff, “will be required to perform their duties from home during this period,” while essential personnel will remain available as needed.
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Medical University has postponed all exams scheduled for paramedical 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 ahead of high-level negotiations
Extraordinary security measures have also been put in place in Rawalpindi ahead of the talks. More than 10,000 police officers have been deployed and more than 600 checkpoints have been established across the city. Authorities have announced that from midnight this evening, several sensitive areas around Nur Khan Air Base and Islamabad International Airport will be closed.
Read: Iran says no date set for next round of talks with US
A complete ban was imposed on drone flights, pigeon flying and aerial shooting. Officials say the measures are aimed at ensuring the safety of planes carrying high-level foreign delegations.
A police spokesperson said the extraordinary measures are a 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 headquarters, where guidelines were issued to ensure foolproof security.
The 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 Saturday midnight. The warning issued instructed boys and girls staying in the hostels to return home, and legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply.
Restricted federal capital
Security has also been put on high alert on sensitive roads in Islamabad as the administration has started the process of obtaining safety certificates from owners of buildings located on these roads.
However, neither side has officially announced the timetable for the next round of negotiations.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran, and Tehran retaliated by striking Israel and other countries in the region harboring American assets.
The war has been suspended since April 8, when Pakistan negotiated a two-week ceasefire.
