Islamabad Schools May Close Friday Ahead of PTI Protest
Private Schools Association says a decision on September 27 closures will be announced by Wednesday evening, as authorities consider Section 144.
Islamabad schools will open as usual on Thursday, but parents and school administrators are preparing for possible closures on Friday when a PTI protest march is planned in the capital. According to TechJuice, the Private Schools Association has not yet announced whether private schools will close on September 27 and says parents should expect a decision by Wednesday evening.
The association's general secretary, Wahid Khan, said road closures have already disrupted schools and that slow government communication during past protest preparations had added to confusion. He said schools cannot operate when containers block major streets, making closure necessary rather than optional. Government schools are waiting for official orders from the deputy commissioner, with interior ministry directives typically arriving by Wednesday afternoon.
TechJuice reported that the Islamabad High Court has formed a larger bench to examine whether the protest should proceed. A petitioner, Waqas Ahmed, has raised security concerns and pointed to economic losses from earlier demonstrations. Past PTI protests cost Islamabad about Rs 240 million in damages, and three Rangers died during the May 9 incidents, the outlet said.
Authorities may impose Section 144 to restrict public gatherings. During previous protests, about 4,000 police officers were deployed, Metro Bus services and Motorways M1 and M2 were shut completely, and traffic was forced onto congested alternate routes. TechJuice noted that past PTI protests in 2022 and 2024 led to the closure of both government and private schools, with announcements typically coming one day before major demonstrations.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has publicly announced the protest call, according to TechJuice, and significant participation from the province is expected, with traffic disruptions spreading to Rawalpindi. Parents are advised to watch for announcements on Wednesday evening. The Private Schools Association will post closure notices on its website, the deputy commissioner's office will issue directives through media, and schools will notify parents via WhatsApp and SMS.
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