Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat on Friday dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that winter vacations in the province have been extended. The minister clarified that schools and colleges are scheduled to reopen on January 12 as previously announced.
Read More: Punjab announces winter holidays for all schools 2025
In a statement posted on X, the minister urged the public not to spread or believe fake news. He emphasized that the Education Department has not issued any notification regarding an extension of winter holidays. “There is no extension in winter vacations for educational institutions in Punjab,” he added.
Schools & Colleges will Open on The 12th of January Inshallah.
Pls Avoid Fake News 🙏— Rana Sikandar Hayat (@RanaSikandarH) January 9, 2026
The rumours emerged amid continuing cold weather in the province, prompting speculation that authorities might prolong the break. However, officials confirmed that the holiday schedule remains unchanged and that students are expected to resume classes as planned.
Meteorological reports indicate that cold and dry weather will continue across most parts of Pakistan, with hilly regions experiencing very low temperatures over the next twelve hours. Moderate to dense fog is expected in Punjab, upper Sindh, and the plains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Frost is likely at isolated locations in the Potohar region and Kashmir during morning hours. Major cities recorded the following temperatures this morning: Islamabad and Peshawar three degrees Celsius, Lahore nine, Karachi eleven, Quetta minus three, Gilgit minus four, Murree zero, and Muzaffarabad four.
Read More: Punjab schools announce winter break
The weather in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is also expected to remain very cold and dry in areas including Srinagar, Leh, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, and Baramula. Jammu will experience cold and foggy conditions. Authorities continue to advise the public to take precautions amid the ongoing winter chill.