Security threat: NCA closed for one week, students asked to leave hostels at once

LAHORE - Following security threats, the National College of Arts (NCA) announced a week's holiday on Friday. The hostel administration ordered students to immediately vacate their dormitories.

According to college officials, the decision was taken at the direction of law enforcement agencies. "The college will resume activities after security clearance", the official added.

Around 300 students, male and female, have been stranded due to the sudden decision. All of these students come from distant cities and areas in the province, while some hail from outside Punjab.

A meeting in this regard was held at the DCO office, where the NCA administration was working out with government bodies to ensure the safety of its students.

Commenting on this development, SP City Muhammad Naveed told media that owing to the current security situation across the country, police were checking security arrangements at all ‘A’ category educational institutions.

Meanwhile, police began a search operation at the University of Punjab, with students told to vacate the hostels at the earliest.

Pakistan Army launched Operation ‘Radd-ul-Fasad’ on Wednesday following a string of terrorist attacks, which left over 100 people dead across the country.

On Thursday, an explosion occurred in Lahore's DHA area, which officials said was a cylinder blast, claimed eight lives.

However, on the other hand, DIG Operations Lahore Haider Ashraf while talking to Geo TV denied that the police asked NCA administration to vacate the hostels.

"We have not asked administration of any educational institution to get its hostels vacated," Ashraf said, adding that police were providing foolproof security to all institutes.