Pakistan's Punjab government today decided to close all educational institutions for two days due to worsening law and order situation in the province following widespread protests by hardline religious groups.
Activists of Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR) and the Sunni Tehreek Pakistan (ST) have been protesting and staging sit-ins on highway and railway lines in several cities of Pakistan for nearly three weeks, disrupting road and rail traffic.
"Due to current law and order situation in the country, the government has decided to close all educational institutions - public and private sector schools, colleges and universities - for Monday and Tuesday" said an official statement.
Higher Education Minister Syed Raza Ali Gilani said the decision was taken to ensure the "safety of our children".
"The situation is quite alarming...we cannot take chances to open educational institutions in such circumstances," Gilani told PTI.
"I cannot confirm whether the educational institutions will reopen after the two-day holiday. It all depends on the situation. If it improves they will open on Wednesday," he said.
Lahore remained cut off for the second consecutive day today from the rest of the country as the protesters of continue to hold demonstrations across the city, leaving no chance for commuters to travel within the city.
The barelvi sect activists have been protesting in Lahore and other parts of the country following police action against them in Islamabad that left six people dead and over 200 others injured.
They have been demanding the sacking of Law Minister Zahid Hamid for changes in a law related to the Khatm-i- Nabuwwat (finality of prohpethood) oath in the Elections Act 2017.
They alleged the action undermined Islamic beliefs and linked it to blasphemy.
The Punjab government has also called in Rangers to help control the worsening law and order situation in Lahore and elsewhere.
"In the wake of current security scenario with respect to the protests/rallies at different places in Lahore, it is requested that Rangers troops may kindly be requisitioned to avoid any untoward incident," Lahore's deputy commissioner said in a letter.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members have virtually been confined to their house at Jati Umra Raiwing in Lahore. Some 1,500 policemen and Rangers have also been deployed to guard his residence.
Meanwhile, the ruling PML-N has asked all its leaders, ministers and legislators not to come out of their homes and take security measures to protect themselves and their families.
The protesters attacked the houses of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid, former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali and PML-N MNA Javed Latif yesterday. Latif also suffered head injuries.
"We expect more attacks from Islamists therefore the ruling party members have been asked to take measures to guard themselves," a PML-N leader said.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
