Several universities near Islamabad and Rawalpindi have announced a shift to online classes amid heightened security preparations ahead of a planned protest in Islamabad on September 27.
According to notices issued on Wednesday, HITEC University Taxila and COMSATS University Islamabad’s Wah and Attock campuses will conduct classes online from Thursday, September 24, until further notice.
The decision comes as authorities increase security measures across Attock, Taxila, Rawalpindi and Islamabad ahead of the planned march towards the federal capital. Security has particularly been tightened in Attock, a key route connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab and Islamabad.
Authorities have placed containers at major crossings and strengthened security along the GT Road, motorway, Chach Interchange, Attock Bridge, Haroon Bridge and Ghazi Barotha Bridge. Reports indicate that around 30,000 security personnel are being deployed in Attock, while some educational institutions in Hazro have also been temporarily closed.
The Punjab government has requested Rangers deployment in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali as part of the security arrangements.
Meanwhile, Islamabad has taken control of 24 public educational institutions to accommodate security personnel during the preparations.
However, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) has announced that classes at its Islamabad Campus will be conducted online from September 24, 2026, until further notice.
According to the notification issued on September 23, the online classes will be held according to the notified semester schedule/timetable. The university has directed all concerned to make necessary arrangements for the smooth and uninterrupted conduct of classes.
