BISE Rawalpindi Postpones Jhelum Computer Science Papers, Then Reverses After CM Order

The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Rawalpindi had postponed the Computer Science papers of the Intermediate Second Annual Examinations 2026 for Jhelum district, shifting them from November 10 to November 30, before the decision was reversed on the orders of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

According to a letter obtained by Dawn, the postponement followed a request from the Jhelum deputy commissioner, who said administrative and security personnel would be deployed for an expected visit by the chief minister to Jhelum and Pind Dadan Khan on the same day. The official warned that these arrangements could disrupt the smooth and uninterrupted conduct of the examinations and asked for the papers to be moved.

BISE Rawalpindi accepted the request and rescheduled the Computer Science examinations for both the morning and evening groups. Board spokesperson Arslan Cheema confirmed that Controller of Examinations Mubashir Saeed had issued a notification announcing the revised schedule.

The board clarified that the postponement applied only to examination centres in Jhelum district. Students sitting at centres in other districts under BISE Rawalpindi were to take their Computer Science papers on November 10 as originally planned. In Jhelum, the morning group's paper had been moved to Monday, November 30, in the morning session, with the evening group's examination set for the evening session at the previously assigned centres. The controller also said new roll number slips would be issued for affected students, though the earlier slips would remain valid.

The situation changed after Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz criticised the district administration for postponing the exams despite her instructions. She ordered the immediate removal of the Jhelum deputy commissioner and directed that the Intermediate Computer Science papers be held on the original schedule on November 10.

The episode highlights the coordination challenges between district administrations and examination boards when official events overlap with scheduled examinations, and the disruption such changes can cause for students preparing for board papers.