Rage and disbelief on Twitter as Pakistani students learn they will have to sit for O, A Level exams

On Friday, four different high courts in the country turned down students' petitions to cancel physical examinations for Cambridge O and A Levels and switching to the tried and tested method of awarding school assessed grades. Students had run a comprehensive social media campaign for their cause, and gained support across the board, from politicians, celebrities and other influential groups.

When the courts decided to reject the students' case and gave not deterring from the NCOC's decision as a reason — which we agree, is a dangerously scary precedent, especially in the middle of a crisis — the students went back to social media to voice their anger and dismay.

Cancelation of exams is a step that should be taken, but perhaps not by a court, and instead by the NCOC or Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood, who upon making his decision to deny students their request brought himself under Waqar Zaka's radar.

Here's the Sindh High Court's decision, which is in line with the other courts.

And its explanation.

We've gathered some of the best reactions from the internet for now but are sure this is not the last we are hearing of this.

In short, this is how the students feel.

Activist, politician and quickly emerging youth icon Jibran Nasir, who had been fighting the students' case for them, said a few words of confidence upon the courts' decision.

Zaka made a demand to PM Imran Khan for help, rationalising it for the PM, as he would for himself.

This journalist called out the NCOC, noting the ridiculousness in their decision and reminding them of what could be.

He wasn't the only one having a tough time with the NCOC decision.

Students now have put their hopes in PM Imran Khan, but are disheartened and nervous because of their lack of faith in him.

With support from most quarters, the students are still waiting for the one vote of support that matters.

Some were straight up threats.

Here's a tweet from an Indian student that reads and sounds too familiar...

Even PM Imran's ministers are hearing it.

We aren't convinced that the matter is settled, though sadly, it might be. The threat of the virus is real, and it's getting scarier with every passing second. Less than an hour east of Lahore, we see neighbouring India plunged into turmoil. Oxygen shortages, mass cremations, patients being treated on streets — dystopian nightmares are becoming a reality at such pace that the realisation is tagging behind. We are nervous about Pakistan's situation, knowing full well how fragile our healthcare and other infrastructures are, and are convinced physical exams cannot be the way to go.

Good luck, students. Can't say we've been there, but we feel your pain.