Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood has said that academic institutions country-wide will be kept closed until April 5. Institutions include all schools and universities, both public and private as well as vocational institutions and seminaries, he added.

The decision was taken in the National Security Committee meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan today.

In another tweet, he said that the education ministry will review the situation on March 27.

With respect to the examinations scheduled during the time period, the education minister said that "respective schools and boards shall ensure that arrangements are made for the exams to be taken as per schedule".