Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah has firmly dismissed a false notification circulating on social media that claimed school holidays would be extended until April 15. He confirmed that educational institutions will resume classes as originally scheduled on April 1.
The counterfeit document alleged that all government and private schools were to remain closed due to fuel shortages and a so-called “smart lockdown,” while examinations would still take place on their planned dates. The minister described this misinformation as completely baseless and misleading.
He appealed to parents and the public to refrain from sharing unverified reports and to rely solely on official government announcements. Minister Shah emphasized that no decision has been made to prolong the spring break, reiterating that schools will reopen on April 1.
Previously, the Sindh government announced the closure of educational institutions from March 11 to March 31. Despite the holidays, the Sindh Cabinet confirmed that exams would proceed on schedule, and schools may conduct online classes to maintain academic continuity.
The provincial cabinet also stated that all federal government measures addressing the energy crisis will be implemented in Sindh. As part of these efforts, ministers’ salaries and perks will be reduced in line with federal directives.
Meanwhile, in Balochistan, all schools will remain closed from March 10 until March 23, 2026. Public and private colleges and technical institutes in Quetta will also observe closures during this period. The provincial government cited regional tensions and fuel conservation as reasons for this decision.
The fuel shortage has intensified amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, reducing Pakistan’s fuel reserves to a mere 28 days. Recently, petrol prices surged by Rs55 per litre, pushing retail costs above Rs321 per litre.
Similarly, Punjab has ordered the closure of all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities, until March 31. Exams will continue as planned, with institutions permitted to offer online classes to ensure uninterrupted learning.
