Islamabad universities shift classes online amid protest, road closure concerns

Several universities in Islamabad have shifted classes online and introduced work-from-home arrangements for staff amid concerns over possible road closures linked to a planned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protest.

The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) has decided to conduct all classes online on Friday, Sept. 25, according to a notification issued by its Directorate of Academics and Examinations.

All classes will be held through Google Classroom according to the existing timetable, while heads of departments and sections have been directed to ensure implementation of the decision.

The university has also ordered courses being conducted through its learning management system and campus management system to be shifted to Google Classroom.

Air University has also decided to hold classes online on Friday at its Main Campus in H-11, Fazaia Medical College, Islamabad and Kamra Campus.

According to the university notification, all morning and evening classes at the affected campuses will be conducted online, while faculty members and staff will work from home.

Weekend classes scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27 will also be held online.

Academic and administrative activities will continue as usual at Air University’s other campuses, including Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College in Karachi.

The university has directed that campus security arrangements should not be compromised and essential security personnel will remain on duty.

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has separately directed its employees to work from home on Friday and Monday because of possible road closures. The registrar issued the notification following approval from the vice chancellor.

The measures come as educational institutions in Islamabad make operational changes ahead of the PTI’s planned protest, with concerns over disruption to travel and possible road closures in the twin cities. COMSATS University Islamabad had already shifted its classes online from Sept. 24 until further notice for similar reasons.