CHARSADDA: Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, will remain closed for two days (Jan 19 and 20) to finalise preparations and commemorate the first anniversary of the tragic incident of militant attack on the university, which had left 21 students and faculty members dead. The function would be held on Friday.

According to a notification issued by the university administration, the campus will remain closed on Jan 19 and 20 in connection with preparations to observe the first anniversary of the incident. The varsity’s public relations officer, Saeed Khan, confirmed that the notification was issued by the registrar office on Wednesday.

The notification says that only administration officials and teaching staff would be present during this period.

He said that invitations had been sent to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa, federal minister Ahsan Iqbal, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, HEC chairman and others.

Unidentified gunmen had entered the Bacha Khan University on Jan 20 last year and opened fire on the students and faculty members, killing 21 and injuring several others. Meanwhile, a search operation was conducted in the areas near the university. Police said that 25 suspect were arrested in the operation.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2017