LAHORE – As thick fog continues to choke large parts of Punjab and disrupt daily life, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has want public opinion on when schools and colleges across the province should reopen.
Rana Sikandar firmly announced that all educational institutions would reopen on January 12, immediately after end of winter vacations. He had urged students and parents to ignore rumours and misleading reports circulating on social media, stressing that no change had been made to the official schedule.
Reiterating his stance, Rana Sikandar Hayat maintained that the decision to start classes on January 12 remains in force, pointing out that students and teaching staff have already enjoyed an extended winter break.
Punjab government officially declared winter holidays for schools, colleges, and other educational institutions across province. According to notification issued by the Provincial Education Department, winter vacations began on December 23, 2025, and will continue until January 11, 2026.
The situation on ground also raised serious concerns. Dense fog engulfed vast areas of Punjab, drastically reducing visibility and causing major travel disruptions, particularly on highways and key connecting roads. The worsening weather conditions have prompted authorities to remain on high alert.
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), in collaboration with local administrations, is closely monitoring the fog situation. Motorists have been advised to exercise extreme caution during low-visibility hours, especially in the early mornings.
Meanwhile, education authorities have directed schools to implement strict safety measures to ensure students can travel safely to campuses amid hazardous foggy conditions, as uncertainty continues to loom over the reopening of educational institutions.
