The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka has issued an advisory for Pakistani students studying in Bangladesh to stay away from the protests and confine themselves to the hostels in their campuses, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Bangladesh on Wednesday ordered schools and universities across the country to close indefinitely after six people were killed in protests over quotas in government jobs.

Every high school, university and Islamic seminary was told to remain shut until further notice following weeks of escalating demonstrations against civil service hiring policies.

Tuesday saw a significant escalation in violence as demonstrators and pro-government student groups attacked each other with bricks and bamboo rods, and police dispersed rallies with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Bangladesh Ministry of Education spokesman MA Khair said the shutdown order was issued for “the security of the students”.

At least six people were killed on Tuesday as demonstrators mobilised for another day in several cities, defying earlier calls by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Supreme Court to return to their classes.

Keeping in view the volatile situation, Pakistan High Commission advised Pakistani students to exercise utmost caution and adopt every measure for their own protection.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar rang up Pakistan High Commissioner Syed Maroof to inquire about the well-being of Pakistanis.

Syed Maroof briefed the deputy prime minister about the security situation and the steps the High Commission had taken to ensure the safety of the Pakistanis residing in Bangladesh.

The high commissioner said they have set up helpline to facilitate the Pakistanis caught up in any situation.

Ishaq Dar directed the high commissioner to take care of the Pakistani students living in campuses of Dhaka.

He also advised the high commissioner to keen in contact with the local authorities to ensure the protection of the Pakistani students.

Reporter Anwar Abbas