Several universities near Islamabad and Rawalpindi have reportedly started shifting to online classes as security preparations intensify ahead of the planned September 27 protest in Islamabad. According to notices circulating on Wednesday, HITEC University Taxila and the Wah and Attock campuses of COMSATS University Islamabad will hold classes online from Thursday, September 24, until further notice.
The decision is aimed at protecting students and staff who travel daily from different cities and towns to reach their campuses. With roads expected to be blocked at several points and heavy security deployed on major routes, universities fear that students could get stuck or face difficulties while commuting.
Students of these institutions have been advised to regularly check their university portals, emails and official social media pages for class schedules, online lecture links and updates about assignments and quizzes. Faculty members are expected to conduct lectures through online learning platforms until normal conditions return.
Why Universities Are Moving Classes Online
The move comes as authorities strengthen security across Attock, Taxila, Rawalpindi and Islamabad ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned march towards the federal capital. Attock has seen a particularly large security build-up because it is an important route connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab and Islamabad.
Authorities have placed containers around major crossings and strengthened security along the GT Road, the motorway, Chach Interchange, Attock Bridge, Haroon Bridge and Ghazi Barotha Bridge. Reports say around 30,000 personnel are being deployed in Attock alone, while some educational institutions in Hazro have already been temporarily closed.
The Punjab government has also requested the deployment of Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali ahead of the march. In Islamabad, the administration has taken control of 24 public educational institutions to accommodate security personnel during the preparations.
There are also concerns about mobile and internet services in the region, which could affect online learning. Punjab has requested telecom restrictions in parts of Rawalpindi and Attock, although the PTA says it has not yet received any order to suspend internet. Students may want to download study material in advance in case connectivity is disrupted.
Online classes became a common practice in Pakistan during the Covid-19 pandemic, and most universities now have learning management systems in place. This allows them to switch between on-campus and online teaching at short notice, although students in remote areas with weak internet often find it harder to attend live lectures and submit work on time.
Status of Universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
As of Wednesday, no general announcement had been made shifting all universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to online classes. COMSATS Islamabad’s main campus, for example, was still listing an on-campus event for September 24, which suggests that normal activities are continuing for now at many institutions in the twin cities.
Other universities and colleges are expected to decide based on the security situation over the next few days. Parents and students are advised not to rely on unverified messages shared on WhatsApp and social media, and to check only official university notices before making travel plans. If the situation worsens, more institutions in the region could follow HITEC and COMSATS and temporarily move to online teaching until the protest ends and roads reopen.
