Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has firmly rejected rumors about implementing a smart lockdown in educational institutions across the province. He reassured that academic activities will continue uninterrupted, emphasizing that there is no current proposal to impose such restrictions.

Addressing concerns in Lahore, the minister urged parents to disregard misinformation circulating about school closures. He highlighted that schools are functioning five days a week, from Monday to Friday, and expressed his personal conviction that educational institutions should remain open throughout the week. “If markets and bazaars are allowed to operate, schools should not be closed,” he remarked, pointing out that approximately 90% of students attend schools close to their homes.

In a significant development, the minister stated that if the federal government were to propose any lockdown measures affecting schools, he would advocate for ensuring education continues under all circumstances. This statement comes amid the federal government’s recent announcement of stringent austerity and fuel-saving policies aimed at conserving energy due to rising fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict.

Notably, these new austerity measures currently apply only to Islamabad, where shops, markets, and shopping malls must close by 9 pm daily. The federal government has encouraged provincial and regional authorities to consider adopting similar energy conservation steps, but Punjab has not yet implemented such restrictions in its educational sector.