Authorities across Pakistan have ordered the closure of educational institutions after two suicide bombers struck the elite International Islamic University in Islamabad killing six persons,including three women. The government of Punjab,Pakistans most populous province,ordered the closure of all state-run and private educational institutions for an indefinite period. The decision was made last night at a meeting of senior officials held soon after the suicide attack in the university in Islamabad. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah,police chief Tariq Salim Dogar and Lahore Commissioner Khusro Pervez participated in the meeting,which reviewed the security situation at educational institutions across the province in the wake of terror threats. All types of public,private and philanthropic universities,colleges and schools are closed till further orders, said an official notification. It warned that institutions that did not comply with the order would face strict action. The notification further said the governments decision was aimed at preempting any untoward incident in the wake of the deteriorating law and order situation. In Peshawar,the North West Frontier Province government announced the closure of all educational institutions till October 25. PAK-SCHOOLS Hours after the attack in Islamabad,authorities in southern Sindh province too ordered the closure of all educational institutions till Sunday. In Balochistan also,educational institutions have been closed indefinitely. All military-run educational institutions were recently closed for a week due to threats that militants could target them or hijack buses transporting students in retaliation of the offensive launched against the Taliban in South Waziristan. Numerous private schools in cities across Pakistan have also been closed. Earlier,authorities had said the security arrangement at schools and colleges,especially those in the private sector,are inadequate. They directed the managements to adopt foolproof security measures. Lahore police chief Parvez Rathore said police would also provide security to educational institutions in the city. In many cities,police advised university students,particularly those from abroad,to remain inside their hostels and residences.
