–FDE schools to remain open on ICT administration’s assurance of safety
ISLAMABAD: The two major hospitals in the federal capital have been put on high alert, while the city’s private schools, as well as most public sector universities, will remain closed on Friday as participants of the ‘Azadi’ March announced by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) are expected to reach the metropolitan on Thursday night.
Ironically, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) had not taken any decision regarding closure of its 423 schools and colleges until the filing of this report.
The two hospitals put on alert to meet any eventuality include the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Federal Government Poly Clinic (FGPC).
In reference to a letter issued by Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) District Magistrate on October 27 regarding ‘high alert in hospitals and the availability of beds’, the PIMS administration issued a circular on Tuesday informing all its concerned departments that “the hospital will remain on high alert during the JUI-F’s rally at Metro Depot, H-9 near Itwar Bazaar from October 30 till further orders”.
Talking to Pakistan Today, PIMS Spokesperson Dr Waseem Ahmed Khawaja said the shift and emergency staff will perform their duties round the clock during the emergency, while extra beds have also been arranged to meet any undesirable situation.
He said that in case of any emergency, PIMS has made arrangements to vacate more beds.
The spokesperson also said that all the staff including nurses and doctors were issued special directives to remain on high alert whereas additional staff would also be deputed to deal with any critical situation.
Similarly, all private schools in the federal capital announced that they had decided to cancel classes on Friday, citing the possibility of uncertain security, law and order situation when caravans of opposition parties enter Islamabad.
President of the Private Schools Association’s (PSA) stated that the decision to reopen schools will be taken in light of the developing situation whereas the PSA secretary maintained that the decision has been taken for the safety students.
He added that the decision to cancel classes was taken in the larger interest of the children as they do not wish to put anyone in a testing situation. “Our priority is to protect children. We do not want to them to face problems due to the march and closure of the routes,” he said.
The FDE, on the other hand, has yet to take a decision regarding the closure of schools and colleges under their jurisdiction.
When contacted, FDE Director General (DG) Syed Umair Javed said all the government schools will remain open.
He said that all FDE schools remained open on Thursday as the ICT administration has assured them that all routes would remain open.
Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU), National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Air University, Bahria University, Comsats University and the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), however, will be closed for two consecutive days.
Moreover, due to the unpredictable situation, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will reschedule an exam which was scheduled to be held on Thursday.
