The Punjab Higher Education Department has announced winter vacations for colleges and universities across the province in view of cold weather conditions.
According to a notification, all public and private colleges and universities in Punjab will observe winter vacations from December 23 to January 10. Academic activities will resume from Monday, January 12, 2026.
The directive will apply uniformly to all institutions operating under the jurisdiction of the Punjab Higher Education Department to ensure consistency in the academic calendar. However, four-year BS degree programmes have been exempted, and teaching and academic activities under these programmes will continue during the vacation period.
The department stated that such adjustments are made every year keeping in view student safety, low temperatures and dense fog during the winter season.
Meanwhile, the federal government has announced a public holiday on December 25 (Thursday) to mark the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Christmas. All government and private offices, as well as educational institutions, will remain closed.
In Sindh, the provincial government has declared December 26 a holiday for Christian employees on the occasion of Christmas, while December 27 has been announced as a public holiday on the death anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. All provincial, semi-government and local offices will remain closed on the day.
Separately, the State Bank of Pakistan has already announced December 31 as a bank holiday on account of year-end closing.
