BISE Bannu, DI Khan postpone this week’s exams, citing suspension of communication services

BANNU: The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Bannu has postponed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Annual-II/Oriental Languages Examination 2026 papers scheduled for October 7, 8, 9 and 10 due to the security situation in the region.

According to a notification issued by the BISE Bannu chairman on October 3, the decision was taken in view of the prevailing security situation and the suspension of mobile phone and internet services within the board’s jurisdiction.

The board said the suspension of communication services could cause serious inconvenience to students, parents, teachers and examination administration, particularly in the timely receipt and dissemination of roll numbers, duty letters and other examination-related communications. It could also affect the dispatch of examination stationery to examination centres.

The notification said the prevailing circumstances could adversely affect the smooth and transparent conduct of the examinations.

However, all remaining examinations will be held according to the notified date sheet, the board clarified.

The postponed papers will be rescheduled later, and a revised schedule will be issued separately by BISE Bannu.

The decision applies to the board’s jurisdiction, comprising Bannu, Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan. All heads of institutions, supervisory staff, candidates and other stakeholders have been directed to take note of the decision and ensure its immediate dissemination.

Bannu has witnessed several terrorist incidents recently, while security forces have been conducting intelligence-based operations to eliminate militants in the region.

Exams in DI Khan also postponed

BISE Dera Ismail Khan also postponed the annual matriculation exams that were originally scheduled between October 7-10, owing to suspension of mobile phone services.

According to Controller Examinations Qaiser Anwar, the examinations will now commence on Oct 12.

Mobile phone services in DI Khan have been suspended for three days. No official explanation was immediately available regarding the continued suspension of mobile phone services across the district.

KP has been facing security challenges, and according to monthly data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), KP experienced a “particularly sharp increase in the lethality of militant violence” in September.

Total attacks in Pakistan last month showed the highest monthly total recorded in 12 years, the report said.