Latest news with #BritishCouncilPakistan
Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
A Level exams suspended in Punjab, AJK for May 9
Students have been urged to monitor only the official Cambridge and British Council Pakistan platforms for reliable updates. PHOTO: FILE Listen to article Cambridge International Education (CIE) and the British Council have cancelled all examinations scheduled for Friday (today), May 9, in select regions of Pakistan due to the deteriorating security situation. The suspension affects students sitting for O Level, IGCSE, and International AS & A Level exams in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Islamabad Capital Territory, and Punjab province. The decision applies to both Cambridge Direct and British Council-affiliated schools. In a joint statement, the two organisations confirmed that the cancellation is limited to exams scheduled for Friday only. They added that further updates regarding exams set for Monday, May 12, will be communicated to schools by Sunday evening. Exams in other parts of Pakistan are expected to proceed as planned, provided the security situation does not change. However, officials noted that any further developments would be shared promptly. 'Our priority is to support the safety of students and staff, and help students progress with their education,' the statement read. 'Where exams are cancelled, we use our expertise and well-established processes to ensure fair grades are awarded,' it added. Students have been urged to monitor only the official Cambridge and British Council Pakistan platforms for reliable updates. Private candidates have been advised to contact British Council Customer Services, while school candidates should liaise directly with their institutions.
Express Tribune
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
BISE Lahore postpones exams amid escalating Pakistan-India tensions
Listen to article The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore has postponed today's intermediate and matriculation exams due to escalating tensions between Pakistan and India. The affected exams include the Islamiyat (elective) and Principles of Accounting theory exams for Inter Part II, as well as a Computer Science practical exam for Matric students. A BISE spokesperson confirmed the postponement, citing security concerns following military strikes between the two countries. The spokesperson assured that a new schedule for the exams would be announced in due course. The decision comes amid increased military activity along the Line of Control, following an Indian strike on multiple locations in Pakistan. In retaliation, the Pakistan army downed five Indian fighter jets and one combat drone in response to unprovoked aggression and airspace violations. Authorities have urged students and the public to stay updated as the situation continues to develop. Earlier, the British Council Pakistan announced that all examinations scheduled for today will go ahead as planned, despite heightened military tensions between Pakistan and India. In an official statement posted on its Facebook page, the organisation said, 'All exams scheduled for today will proceed as planned. We will keep you updated if there are any changes.' Students were advised to contact their respective schools, or the Customer Services Centre in the case of private candidates, for any exam-related queries.
Express Tribune
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
British Council confirms exams will proceed amid Indo-Pak military tensions
Listen to article The British Council Pakistan has announced that all examinations scheduled for today will go ahead as planned, despite heightened military tensions between Pakistan and India. In an official statement posted on its Facebook page, the organisation said, 'All exams scheduled for today will proceed as planned. We will keep you updated if there are any changes.' Students were advised to contact their respective schools, or the Customer Services Centre in the case of private candidates, for any exam-related queries. This announcement comes amidst a volatile situation along the Line of Control (LoC), where military actions between Pakistan and India have intensified. The escalation followed India's strikes on multiple locations in Pakistan, reportedly in response to the killing of over two dozen tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India has blamed Pakistan for the incident, a claim which Islamabad has vehemently denied. In retaliation, the Pakistan army downed five Indian fighter jets and one combat drone in response to unprovoked aggression and airspace violations. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed on Wednesday that 26 civilians were martyred and 46 others injured in overnight Indian airstrikes targeting multiple civilian areas across Pakistan. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz declared a state of emergency across the province and ordered the closure of all educational institutions following a series of Indian missile strikes that targeted civilian areas, prompting a swift military response from Pakistan.
Express Tribune
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Festival explores gender equality
ISLAMABAD: Experts shed light on the importance of women empowerment and gender disparity issues, saying that empowering women is not just a women's issue, but it's everyone's issue in the country while together we can create a more equitable and inclusive world. They expressed their views at the 8th edition of the British Council's WOW Women of the World Festival which was held in joint collaboration with the WOW Foundation, UNFPA and the Entrepreneurship and Community Development Institute (ECDI). The two-day festival, free and open to the public, attracted an impressive audience of over 12,000 attendees, marking another milestone in Pakistan's journey towards gender equality and empowerment. This year's festival marked the second consecutive WOW Festival following its successful expansion from Karachi and Hunza in previous years. The programme featured an engaging blend of panel discussions, workshops, film screenings, immersive performances, a dynamic marketplace, and children's activities. Attendees were enthralled by a female qawali curated by Arieb Azhar, a musical tribute to Haniya Aslam by Rakae Jamil, and an electrifying dance performance by Suhai Abro. Literary enthusiasts enjoyed readings by Attiya Dawood and Zambeel, while families were delighted by an interactive pop-up session with Khaled Anam. Adding to the visual spectacle, the festival showcased a public mural featuring impactful women, created by Summaiya Jillani, and premiered a film on women in the arts by Destination Media, further cementing WOW's role as a powerful platform for celebrating and amplifying women's contributions in Pakistan and beyond. Maarya Rehman, the Deputy Director at the British Council Pakistan, emphasised the festival's role in tackling crucial gender issues. She expressed, "The WOW Festival continues to be a platform for addressing some of the most critical gender issues of our time. It has been inspiring to witness the courage and resilience of women in Pakistan who are leading the charge for change. Laila Jamil, the Director of Arts at the British Council Pakistan, highlighted the festival's mission and said, The festival hosted thought-provoking discussions on pressing topics including mental health, climate change, education, women in public spaces, the digital divide, patriarchy, and disability, reflecting the multifaceted challenges women face today.
