LAHORE: Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, Punjab University has postponed the annual examination of associate degree arts, science part-I and II, which were scheduled to commence from April 01.
According to the university spokesman, the decision was taken in the meeting of deans of faculties chaired by PU Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Akhter. The Vice-Chancellor said that the decision was in the best interest of students during the worsening situation of COVID 19.
Niaz Ahmed Akhter said that a new date will be announced later. He clarified that the semester exam would be held as per schedule. The VC urged the Pakistani nation to adopt preventive steps against COVID 19 in order to control the increasing spread of the disease.
Earlier, the federal government had announced the closure of educational institutions partially from March 15 due to the rising number of coronavirus cases.
Addressing media after a meeting of education ministers at the National Command and Operations (NCOC), Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said all educational institutions in Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would remain closed from March 15 till March 28.
The federal minister that the situation in Sindh and Balochistan is normal and schools in the two provinces would ensure fifty attendance for students. However, educational institutions in seven cities of Punjab will be closed from March 15.
The meeting decided that educational institutions in Lahore, Gujarat, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Multan will also be closed from 15-28th March. Shafqat Mahmood said that the provincial government should monitor the situation in schools where examinations will be held.
