PESHAWAR, Feb 15: The NWFP government has ordered closure of all educational institutions in the province. In the wake of the violent demonstrations against the publication of blasphemous caricatures in some European newspapers, the government has issued a notification saying that all government and private colleges and schools in the province would remain closed for one week with immediate effect from Feb 16.

Meanwhile, NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman, in his capacity as chancellor of the universities in the province, has ordered closure of all public and private sector universities for three days from Feb 16 to 18. NWFP University of Engineering and Technology (UET) has also ordered closure of its main campus and affiliated campuses for three days with effect from Feb 16 to 18.

According to a press release issued here on Tuesday, the third-year examination that was scheduled to be held from Feb 15 to Feb 20 would now start on March 20 and run through March 25.

Other examinations, the press release said, would be held as per schedule.—Correspondent