FDE schools in capital to remain open, holiday announced in Pindi.

ISLAMABAD -- The city's private schools and most public sector universities will be closed today (Thursday) due to the 'uncertain and unpredictable' situation arising from the Azadi March. However, in Rawalpindi, all educational institutions will stay closed.

However, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has announced that its 423 schools and colleges will remain open.

In a notification, the Private School Association announced: 'Schools will remain closed (urban area) on Thursday.' Most upscale private schools are located in H-8, which along with H-9 is the designated sector for education and other institutions.

The government's decision to allow the Azadi March to culminate in H-9 has led to concern among school operators in both sectors as well as parents. The city's roads have been partially sealed and, if the situation were to deteriorate in the event it would become difficult for parents and students to reach their schools.

The association's information secretary, Abdul Waheed, said all upscale private schools, including Beaconhouse, Headstart, Roots, Lahore Grammar School, Pak-Turk, Froebel's, City School and Smart School are members of the association and have unanimously decided to keep their institutions closed on Thursday.

The Convent School and Overseas Pakistanis Foundation girls' and boys' colleges will also be closed.

He said the decision was made because of the unpredictable situation in light of the Azadi March.

'We cannot take the risk, as students' protection is our main priority. Our schools are also located in H-8 and H-9, so we have decided to close the schools on Thursday and the next decision will be taken up later,' he said.

FDE Director General Syed Umair Javed said all government schools will stay open.

'All FDE schools will operate normally. We have been advised by the ICT administration that the routes will remain open,' he said.

An association of private schools in the rural areas have decided to stay open.

Quaid-i-Azam University, National University of Modern Languages (Numl), Air University, Bahria University, Comsats University and the National...