Winter vacations in Punjab will not be extended beyond January 12 despite reports circulating on social media stating that cold weather might prompt an extension. 

 

 

Addressing the speculation, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has said in a post on X that all schools and colleges across the province will reopen as scheduled on January 12, adding that there is no proposal under consideration to extend the winter break.

 

 

Responding directly to online speculation, the minister said that the reports were “baseless and misleading” and urged the public to avoid sharing unverified information.

 

 

He stated that there has been no change to the academic calendar,  instructing educational institutions to prepare for the resumption of classes on time.

 

 

The clarification comes as cold weather continues across several parts of Punjab. According to the latest forecast, cold and dry conditions are expected to persist in most districts. Murree, Galiyat and nearby hilly areas may experience cloudy conditions, with light rain or snowfall possible during evening and night hours.

 

 

While the Punjab government has rejected reports of extending winter vacations, developments related to private educational institutions have emerged from Sindh.

 

 

The Grand Alliance of Private School Associations Sindh (GAPSAS) has announced a province-wide shutter-down strike for private schools and colleges on January 9. The decision was announced during a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, where alliance leaders raised concerns over actions taken by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) in relation to free admission verification.

 

 

GAPSAS leaders said that following a Sindh High Court Sukkur Bench verdict issued on December 8, the Anti-Corruption department was assigned the task of verifying free admission lists submitted by regional directors. However, they alleged that the department has since started conducting direct inspections inside schools.

 

 

The alliance stated that such inspections fall outside the legal framework of the Sindh Private Educational Institutions (Regulation and Control) Act 2013, under which the Directorate of Private Institutions is designated as the regulatory authority. They said involvement by any other department is unlawful.

 

 

GAPSAS leaders also said the inspection process has created pressure for school administrations and students. 

 

 

They further said parents are being repeatedly questioned despite already submitting required information and written undertakings to authorities.

 

 

Calling for government intervention, the alliance urged the Sindh chief minister and education minister to stop direct Anti-Corruption Department entries into schools. They announced that a fresh petition will be filed in the Sindh High Court seeking to halt the ongoing verification process.