LAHORE: Educational institutions located on The Mall will remain closed on Wednesday (today) due to the protest by opposition political parties at Charing Cross. According to Higher Education Department, in order to avert any untoward incident in the wake of sit in call from a party on The Mall, the following three institutes will remain closed: the Government College University (GCU), the National College of Arts (NCA) and the Punjab University old campus. The School Education Department (SED) announced to close six schools in surrounding of The Mall, including Government Governor House School for Boys, Government Governor House School for Girls, Government Islamia School Khazana Gate, Government Girls High School Fane Road, Government Girls High School Fane Road, Government Girls High School Napier Road and Government High School Shahra-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat. Similarly, All Pakistan Private School Management Association (APPSMA) also announced to close the schools located in one kilometre radius of The Mall. APPSMA President Chaudhry Wahid said that initially schools were closed for one day. However, opening of schools on Thursday would be announced after reviewing the situation on Wednesday evening about protest and sit in announced by opposition political parties. He also demanded the government take measures in future to stop such protests which could halt the city life. Punjab University College of Arts and Design (PUCAD), Punjab University College of Information Technology (PUCIT), Hailey College of Banking and Finance and Department of Sports will also remain closed. Published in Daily Times, January 17th 2018.