Most of embassies, private schools remain closed

ISLAMABAD - Owing to threats of terror acts, a number of private elite schools, multinational companies offices and foreign mission facilities remained closed on Friday.
The threats, especially to private schools of the twin cities, caused panic and fear among the residents, when private TV channels broke the story.
Some of the parents and relatives of the children were observed rushing towards the schools to take their dear ones back. It was also reported that in some of the schools, students were not allowed to enter the premises and were sent back to their homes.
The teachers standing at the gates of the schools were seen telling the students to go back their homes as they had been closed due to terror threats.
When contacted, Asadullah Faiz, the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, said that a meeting with the representatives of the schools was called on Thursday and they were advised to enhance the security of their educational institutions but not to close them.
We just asked them to strengthen the security of their institution. They decided to close the schools their own. There might be a misunderstanding also.
However, the news of closing visa section of the American Embassy might generate this controversy the DC said.
To a query, Asadullah Faiz said that many of these schools remain closed on Saturday and Sunday and start working on Monday.
He hoped that the schools would start educational activities from Monday.
Froebel International School, Roots School System, Beacon House, City Schools and some other preparatory school in the diplomatic areas of Islamabad were reportedly closed from Friday till Monday due to worsening security situation and fear of some suicide attack on the schools.
It may be recalled that Asian Development Bank in Islamabad had already been closed while visa section of American embassy was also closed on Friday. However, the government offices, government school and other small private schools remained open.
It is pertinent to mention here that a meeting was called on Thursday in the office of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad in which the representatives of different schools, especially the private schools, were called. During the meeting, it was discussed that the schools would install walkthrough gates and Close Circuit Television Camers (CCTV) on the entrance and exit points of the schools. It was also decided that high boundary walls would be constructed around the schools.
Meanwhile, capital police arrested some 325 suspicious persons from different areas of capital territory on Friday night particularly from different entry points of the capital city.
Police spokesman told TheNation that 325 persons could appropriately explain the reasons of their arrival in the city, so arrested and shifted to different police stations of for interrogation.
He further said that police constables in uniform and civvies have been deployed at important points in the capital.
It is relevant to note here that a meeting of Islamabad capital territory administration was held in ICT office in last week. During the meeting it was decided that ICTA, along with capital police and other law enforcement agencies, would start search operations in the slum areas of the federal capital.
The decision was taken to counter any untoward situation in a federal capital.
APP adds: Islamabad Police have asked those intending to enter or stay in Capital to carry their National Identity Cards or some other documents for their identification, the police spokesman told this news agency quoting to SSP Operations Tahir Alam Khan.
The step is being taken keeping in view the law and order situation, he said adding that security is on high alert in Islamabad.