Govt announces public & school holidays across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The federal government of Pakistan has issued a formal notification of Quaid-e-Azam Day on December 25 and a post-Christmas public holiday for Christian employees on December 26.

A notification issued by the Ministry of Interior has said that like every year, the government will observe a public holiday on December 25 this year on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, while in view of the religious festival of the Christian community, there will be a holiday for Christian employees in all government and semi-government offices on December 26 so that they can participate in festive activities with their families.

Meanwhile, important progress has been made in Punjab regarding the winter holidays. The School Education Department has prepared a summary of the winter holidays and sent it to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. According to the summary, holidays have been proposed in all government and private educational institutions across the province from December 23 to January 10.

According to sources, the notification will be issued after receiving final approval from the Chief Minister’s Office. This year, winter in Punjab seems to be intensifying earlier than usual, due to which parents, teachers and health experts were also calling for government measures.

On the other hand, winter vacations have already begun in the coldest areas of Balochistan. According to the provincial education department, all government and private schools will remain closed for two and a half months from December 16. Due to the severity of the cold in the mountainous and snow-covered areas of Balochistan, long vacations are given every year to protect children from the possible effects of harsh weather. During this period, the temperature in these areas drops several degrees below freezing point, making it practically impossible to continue educational activities.

The schedule for winter vacations has also been issued in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the provincial government, vacations will be from December 22 to December 31 in the plains, while in the mountainous areas, vacations will be from December 22 to February 29. Long vacations are given every year in view of heavy snowfall and road closures in the mountainous districts of KP. Parents and teachers have welcomed the government’s decision, saying it will not only protect children’s health but also reduce the risks of travel during severe weather.