Punjab school timings and Sindh school timings have undergone major revisions as provincial governments respond to a severe cold wave gripping Pakistan. Punjab has extended winter vacations for all public and private schools until January 19, 2026, while Sindh has shifted school openings to 9am from January 12 to January 26, 2026. These measures, announced on January 10, 2026, prioritise student health amid sub-zero forecasts and dense fog.
The changes impact millions of children in Pakistan’s most populous provinces, where cold weather schools Pakistan disruptions occur annually. In South Asia, such weather events frequently interrupt education, underscoring the need for timely adaptive policies to minimise health risks and learning losses.
Punjab Winter Vacations Extended to January 19
Punjab winter vacations, originally planned from December 22, 2025, to January 10, 2026, have been prolonged until January 19, 2026. Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat made the announcement following advice from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and public input.
“In view of the prolonged severe winter spell and the forecast of extremely low temperatures in the coming days, and on the advice of PDMA, the Government of Punjab has decided to extend winter vacations until January 19,” Minister Hayat stated on X.
A public poll on X showed about 87% support for the January 19 reopening, with 154,178 votes in favour compared to 24,829 for January 12. Earlier fake notifications had caused confusion, which the minister dismissed before finalising the extension.
The Punjab Higher Education Department also extended breaks for colleges from January 10 to January 16, 2026, with reopening on January 19. BS four-year programmes and examinations remain on schedule. This Punjab school timings adjustment affects over 10 million students, addressing dangers from low visibility fog and freezing temperatures, especially in northern districts lacking proper school heating.
Sindh School Timings Shifted to 9am
Sindh school timings now require all public and private institutions to open at 9am, with closing times unchanged. The adjustment applies from January 12 to January 26, 2026, under the School Education and Literacy Department.
Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah coordinated with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah for the change, based on Met Office forecasts of cold, dry conditions (minimum 9°C, maximum 25°C) and moderate to dense fog in districts like Sukkur, Rohri, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Larkana, Tando Jam, and Mohenjodaro.
The later start minimises exposure to the harshest morning cold, benefiting young commuters in both urban and rural areas. This balanced approach keeps schools operational while enhancing safety during the cold spell.
Impact of Cold Weather Schools Pakistan
Cold weather schools Pakistan issues reduce attendance by up to 20% in winter, per provincial education records, due to health concerns like respiratory problems. The current wave has heightened such risks, leading to these proactive schedule changes.
Parents in Lahore and Karachi have welcomed the decisions. Many note that Punjab winter vacations extension prevents unsafe journeys in dense fog, while the Sindh school timings shift offers safer mornings without full closures.
Economically, delays mean lost teaching days, but officials emphasise child welfare over immediate academic costs. These responses build on historical patterns where similar adjustments occurred in prior winters.
Background
Pakistan experiences continental winter influences, with Siberian winds causing sub-zero chills in Punjab’s north and thick fog in Sindh’s Indus Valley. Punjab school timings have faced extensions in recent years due to combined cold and smog. Sindh’s fog-prone regions often see transport disruptions, prompting timing revisions.
Infrastructure gaps persist, with limited heating in public schools exacerbating challenges.
Provincial actions mirror regional trends in South Asia, where India and Bangladesh also modify schedules during cold snaps.
What’s Next
Weather monitoring continues. If extreme conditions persist past January 19 in Punjab or beyond January 26 in Sindh, further adjustments may follow. Punjab school timings are expected to normalise from January 19, 2026, provided the cold wave eases.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, January 11th, 2026
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
