‘#ImranKhanCancelExams’ trends on Twitter as courts dismiss students petitions

#ImranKhanCancelExams and #ImranKhanJawabDou were among the top trends on Twitter as the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) and the Government of Pakistan refuse to cancel this year’s O’ and A’ Level exams and the board exams. Pakistan is currently experiencing a deadly third wave of COVID-19 with fears of an India-like situation and students are arguing that the exams not only pose a risk to their health but they have also been unable to prepare for them because of school closures. The high courts in Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Karachi have also dismissed students petitions.

Read more – Pak Army to help implement coronavirus SOPs, announces PM Imran

Students have expressed their worries and concerns over the matter on social media, tagging government accounts so that their pleas are heard. Other hashtags trending on social media included #CancelExamsPakistan2021 and #PMImranCancelExams. While some resorted to sharing memes, others threatened the PM Khan that they will not vote for him in the upcoming General Elections 2023.

Several celebrities and renowned personalities including Feroze Khan, Aagha Ali, Momina Mustehsan, Jibran Nasir and Waqar Zaka have also extended their support to students, urging the government to cancel exams.

– cancel exams save lives.

— Feroze Khan (@ferozekhaan) April 23, 2021

Don’t you care about the future generation @ImranKhanPTI ? Kindly just tweet why u r not interested in replying to students of Pakistan ? Tweet hi tu karna hai ? Itni Ego Kis baat ki ? #imrankhanjawabdou

— Waqar Zaka (@ZakaWaqar) April 23, 2021

Sir we just want ur tweet, why u r not giving your input in cancelling the exams , I highly respect u for ur work for making Pakistan corruption free to tourism to tree plantation but why not just tweet about exams ? #ImranKhanJawabDou

— Waqar Zaka (@ZakaWaqar) April 23, 2021

Would it not be better to consider cancelling exams,or to wait for the wave to subside? The curve needs to be flattened. In person examinations puts the entire nation at risk of transmission,esp at this crucial time 😷🙏🏼 @Shafqat_Mahmood #cancelexamspakistan2021 #StayHomeStaySafe https://t.co/s7mfEDT6OQ

— Momina Mustehsan (@MominaMustehsan) April 23, 2021

#ImranKhanCancelExam pic.twitter.com/1Pb7aWRyKS

— Shahveer Jafry (@shahveerjaay) April 23, 2021

If they want exams, we need proper physical classes. We want institutes to be opened. We want more time to prepare. That’s quiet simple.
If institutes stay open we all are dying.but we are ready to die like this 🙌 #imrankhanjawabdou

— 🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@aimahaha) April 23, 2021

Schools have been closed for all classes including 9-12. Paper ki tayri @ImranKhanPTI karwaega kiya??#ImranKhanCancelExam pic.twitter.com/PbOwFC5paj

— Supernova School (@coronainsns) April 23, 2021

"U ignore the youth now , we will ignore you in 2023"….! Rember we all are above 18 so we are going to be game changers for next elections !
لازم ہے کہ ہم بھی دیکھیں گے!#ImranKhanCancelExam #imrankhanjawabdou @ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/eZPrkqrWc4

— Muneeb Ahmed (@Muneeb8880) April 23, 2021

Will choose Maryam nawaz over @ImranKhanPTI, If he doesn't cancel the examination.Waiting for 2023 so eagerly😬 #ImranKhanCancelExam#imrankhanjawabdou pic.twitter.com/5TVcLW9k5I

— Mikaeel7708 (@mikaeel7708) April 23, 2021

Students right now to each other " oye dua karna aftari ka waqat ka paper cancel hogay suna hay is waqat dua qabool hothi hy 😂🍌👀#imrankhanjawabdou #govtkikosmalun pic.twitter.com/5T4y5WE9mg

— Cancel Board Exam Bsdk (@shafqatbahrwa) April 23, 2021

#ImranKhanCancelExam #imrankhanjawabdou
Institutes close*
Institutes open*
Institutes close*
Institutes open*
Institutes close*

Meanwhile students: pic.twitter.com/iZjclkvtIa

— Muskan_alee_says (@MuskanAlee1) April 23, 2021

And you still desire physical exams?
It's hypocrisy.
I just don't get the point of this lockdown. If you are okay with thousands of students outside their houses, then why're you imposing this lockdown?
#cancelExamsSaveStudent #ImrankhancancleEXAMS #cancelcieexams2021
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/y4UknugCZF

— Syeda Yasha Abbas Rizvi (@yasha_abbas) April 23, 2021

Imran Khan upon the tweets of Students after confirmation of exams sitting peacefully be like: #imrankhanjawabdou#cancelcieexams2021 pic.twitter.com/n3YC4wlRB9

— Twittter user🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@Twittteruser4) April 23, 2021

#cancelcieexams2021 The trend got deleted🙂💔, wow#imrankhanjawabdou you have to. pic.twitter.com/w6oMsgvJW4

— محسن بٹ (@wBGaxoGDhr86I1T) April 23, 2021

Meanwhile, the Sindh High Court (SHC), Lahore High Court (LHC), Peshawar High Court (PHC) and Islamabad High Court (IHC) have all dismissed the petition of Cambridge students.

Unfortunately the Lahore High Court has dismissed our stay application on O/A level exams. I had little hope since our courts r reluctant to interfere in the policy matters decided by NCOC. However,with rising Covid cases I believe NCOC will make sane decision by cancelling exams

— Hassaan Niazi (@HniaziISF) April 23, 2021

I would respectfully disagree with reason often given by Courts that if issue concerns 1000s why only few students come to Court. This is not the students' fault. Unions are banned, demonzied, no platforms for students to organize. This effort by O/A level students was remarkable pic.twitter.com/jKfPXQBZlB

— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) April 23, 2021

Hon Lahore High has also dismissed the Petition against #Cambridge physical exams returning the onus to @OfficialNcoc to decide and do what is best. pic.twitter.com/f9BSJ4ez27

— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) April 23, 2021

The SHC, in its judgement, maintained the NCOC and Shafqat Mahmood’s decision to hold physical exams for Cambridge but urged strict implementation of SOPs during the exams. It also made assurances regarding withdrawing from current exams anytime before the end of series with no extra fee as part of the order.

Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood on April 18 had clarified that all Cambridge exams will proceed as per schedule, and will not be making use of teacher-assessed grades this year. AS and A’ Level exams are scheduled to begin from April 26, while O’ Level and IGCSE exams will start from May 10.

Matriculation and Intermediate board exams, on the other hand, have been deferred and will take place varyingly across provinces, starting late May.