LAHORE (Kashmir English): The Punjab government has declared a weekly holiday on Fridays for schools across the province in view of the government’s measures to conserve fuel amid the ongoing Middle East situation.
The notification issued by the Punjab Education Department stated that all public and private schools across the province will remain closed on Fridays, while schools will operate from Monday to Thursday.
“All Public & Private Schools across Punjab shall remain closed on Friday till further orders,” the notification said.
It further noted that single-shift schools will run from Monday to Thursday, from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm. The double-shift schools will operate from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm during the morning shift and from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm during the evening shift.
پنجاب بھر میں تمام سرکاری و نجی سکول جمعہ کے روز بند رہیں گے جبکہ پیر تا جمعرات باقاعدہ اوقات کار کے مطابق تدریسی سرگرمیاں جاری رہیں گی۔ pic.twitter.com/XxaCTMmDku
— Rana Sikandar Hayat (@RanaSikandarH) April 1, 2026
Schools reopened
Educational institutions reopened on April 1 across the province following a 22-day closure from March 10-31 in line with the federal government’s measures to conserve fuel due to the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, which has spiked global oil prices.
During this period, educational institutions conducted online classes, while examinations were held as scheduled.
A day earlier, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) also directed all public and private universities, along with degree-awarding institutions (DAIs), across the country to resume physical classes from April 1.
On the other hand, sources said that the Punjab government has decided not to impose a smart lockdown in the province.
During the meeting, the Punjab Chief Minister noted that it was not possible to agree on a smart lockdown for energy conservation; however, the government has decided to adopt alternative measures.
It has also been considered to convene a meeting of the Austerity Committee next week.
The Austerity Monitoring Committee meeting will consider the extension of further decisions, while a report on the decisions of the first meeting will also be presented.
