Three Pakistani military-affiliated institutions were closed on 22 January, Monday due to security concerns in the nation’s capital, Islamabad, according to authorities. In two weeks, Pakistan will hold general elections under a confluence of political, economic, and security challenges, including an upsurge in terrorist assaults directed at law enforcement and military personnel.
However, under the condition of anonymity, an Islamabad police spokesman informed AFP that the National Defence University, Bahria University, and Air University in Islamabad had been “shut down because of potential threats”. The organizations are connected to the Air Force, navy, and army of Pakistan, in that order. A text message sent to Bahria University students, which AFP saw, stated, “Due to security reasons… all faculty and staff, except security and necessary admin staff, will work from home.”
Three Universities in the Capital Islamabad Closed Due to Safety Issues
The organizations are connected to the Air Force, navy, and Army of Pakistan, in that order. “All teachers and staff, excluding security and required admin personnel, will work from home for security reasons,” said a text message sent to Bahria University students that the French agency saw.
This security risk materializes just before the nation’s elections on February 8, when thousands of auxiliary security troops are expected to saturate the city and the northwest area that borders Afghanistan. Since the Taliban swept back to power there in 2021, the politically unstable country has witnessed an increase in assaults in its border areas and has repeatedly maintained that Kabul is providing a haven for extremists.
In addition, the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies reports that Pakistan had 1,524 violence-related deaths and 1463 injuries from up to 789 terror incidents and counterterrorism operations last year.
The total number of deaths in the Islamic nation, including those of criminals, reached a record 6-year high that surpassed the level of 2018 and was the highest since 2017. The Pakistan Taliban launched a large army effort to drive out the militants in 2014 after storming an army public school in Peshawar, the province capital of Northwest Pakistan. More than 150 people were murdered in the attack, the bulk of them were children.
Following that, Law enforcement released an alert notice
Islamabad, Pakistan: Amid concerns over potential extremist strikes, Pakistani officials temporarily closed at least three prestigious universities on Monday, including the National Defence University. Following a security alert from intelligence agencies regarding a potential attack on higher education institutions with ties to the military, Pakistani authorities decided to temporarily close the National Defense University, Air University, and Bahria University, among other institutions.
“After intelligence was received about a potential attack on them, at least three universities run by the armed forces—the National Defense University, Air University, and Bahria University—as well as a few other higher education institutions were temporarily closed.
However, the action was initiated in response to the disclosure of the identities of the Baloch militants killed in the Iranian airstrikes, which demonstrated that the deceased were significant rebels sought for the attack in the province of Balochistan. Although the length of the closure was not disclosed, the source claimed that they would presumably stay closed until an order for their reopening was given. Although security had been stepped up, the chief of police in Islamabad stated that there was no need to fear because everything was under control. “The security and law and order situation in Islamabad is under control,” said Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, Inspector-General (IGP) of the Islamabad Police.
