Several universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have made adjustments to their academic schedules in anticipation of the upcoming final round of talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad.
International Islamic University Islamabad has announced that all classes will be conducted online from April 20 to 24, with mid-term examinations scheduled for April 20 to 21 being postponed. Additionally, the university has implemented a four-day working week for non-teaching staff from Monday to Thursday, with 50% of staff working remotely until April 30.
Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi has also shifted to online classes from April 18 to 26, with the main campus closed for one week. Students residing in university hostels have been instructed to vacate immediately, while employees are required to work from home during this period.
Rawalpindi Medical University has postponed all scheduled examinations for Allied Health Sciences to accommodate students amidst the current uncertainties. The university administration will announce new dates for the postponed exams in the future.
COMSATS University Islamabad has transitioned all classes to an online format starting from April 20, with ongoing midterm exams also postponed until further notice.
In preparation for the high-level talks, Rawalpindi has heightened security measures, deploying more than 10,000 police personnel and setting up over 600 checkpoints across the city. Sensitive areas surrounding Nur Khan Airbase and Islamabad International Airport will be sealed off starting at midnight, with a ban on drone flights, pigeon flying, and aerial firing to ensure the safety of foreign delegations.
Security in Islamabad has also been intensified, with security certificates being obtained from building owners on sensitive routes. Although no official timeframe has been announced for the next round of talks, tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran have been on hold since Pakistan facilitated a two-week ceasefire on April 8.
