Several universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have announced shifts to online learning and postponed examinations as Pakistan prepares to host the anticipated second round of Iran-United States peace negotiations, with heightened security arrangements placing much of the twin cities under extraordinary restrictions. The academic disruptions reflect the scale of the security operation being mounted around the talks, which follow Pakistan’s successful mediation of a two-week ceasefire on April 8 after the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran in late February and Tehran responded with strikes on regional targets.
International Islamic University Islamabad announced that all classes will be held online from April 20 to 24, and postponed mid-term examinations scheduled for April 20 to 21. The administration also introduced a four-day working week for non-teaching staff, from Monday to Thursday, with 50 percent of staff working from home, a policy that will remain in place from April 20 to 30. Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi separately announced that all classes will be conducted online from April 18 to 26, with the university’s main campus remaining closed for one week. The notification directed all students residing in university hostels to vacate immediately, and stated that employees including officers, teachers, and staff shall perform their duties from home during this period, with essential staff remaining available as required. Rawalpindi Medical University also postponed all scheduled examinations for Allied Health Sciences, citing the need to facilitate students in the prevailing uncertain circumstances, with new dates to be announced in due course.
Extraordinary security arrangements have been put in place across Rawalpindi ahead of the talks. More than 10,000 police personnel have been deployed, and over 600 checkpoints have been established across the city. From midnight, several sensitive areas surrounding Nur Khan Airbase and Islamabad International Airport will be sealed. A complete ban has been imposed on drone flights, pigeon flying, and aerial firing, with officials stating these measures are aimed at ensuring the security of aircraft carrying high-level foreign delegations. Security measures also include the closing of all boys’ and girls’ hostels within Rawalpindi until further notice, with hostel owners ordered to vacate their premises.
In the federal capital, security has been placed on high alert on sensitive routes, with the administration beginning the process of obtaining security certificates from owners of buildings located along these corridors. There has been no official announcement from any of the parties about the timeframe for the next round of talks. Pakistan’s role as host and mediator for the Iran-United States negotiations has placed Islamabad at the centre of one of the most consequential diplomatic processes currently underway anywhere in the world, and the comprehensive security mobilisation across the twin cities reflects the weight of that responsibility as the country prepares to facilitate what could prove to be a defining round of talks.
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