Schools, Colleges Closed in Eight KP Districts as Exams Cancelled
PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN — October 12, 2026: Public and private schools, colleges and universities have been closed across eight districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, while examinations scheduled for the day have been cancelled amid the province’s current emergency measures.
The affected districts are Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swat, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Shangla and Hangu. District administrations issued closure orders, suspending educational activities for October 12.
Students have been advised to wait for official announcements from the relevant education boards and institutions before making arrangements for postponed examinations.
Eight Districts Affected by Closures
In Peshawar, the deputy commissioner ordered all public and private schools, colleges and universities to remain closed. Authorities in Nowshera and Mardan also announced closures and cancelled examinations scheduled for Monday.
Similar orders were issued in Upper Dir and Lower Dir. Educational institutions in Swat, Shangla and Hangu were also included in the reported closures.
The orders cover public and private educational institutions. In Hangu, the closure also affects the Kohat University of Science and Technology’s sub-campus.
Revised Examination Dates Awaited
The cancellations affect examinations that were due to take place on October 12. Relevant education boards are expected to announce revised dates and updated examination timetables through official channels.
No replacement dates were specified in the reports reviewed for this article. Students should therefore check notifications issued by their respective boards and institutions rather than assume that examinations will take place on a particular alternative date.
The disruption also follows earlier changes to the matriculation examination schedule in the province, which had already been affected by security-related transport and communication difficulties.
Security Measures in the Province
The closures come amid emergency measures and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa announced on October 11. The federal government has cited security and counterterrorism concerns, while the provincial political situation remains contested.
Separately, Hangu district authorities have imposed Section 144 for 30 days. The restrictions prohibit gatherings of more than five people and unauthorised assemblies in public places.
The district-level school closure orders apply to October 12; they should not be interpreted as confirmation that all eight districts will remain closed indefinitely.
Parents and students should follow announcements from their local administrations, education departments and examination boards for any extension of closures or revised examination schedules.
