Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s schools reopen; Punjab’s still closed

PESHAWAR/LAHORE: W inter vacations are over in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Students of all private and government schools will return to classes today.

As per latest reports, winter vacations in schools and colleges have ended today in Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, DI Khan and other plain areas.

Earlier, the winter vacations were extended till January 7 in view of severe and dry cold weather. Provincial Primary and Secondary Education Departments had given holidays to all government and private schools from December 22 till January 7.

Meanwhile, Punjab’s educational departments has notified winter holidays until January 10 (Friday), effectively opening schools on January 13 (Monday). Winter vacations in Punjab began on December 23. The schools will reopen next Monday.

Higher education institutions, however, will open today in Punjab as well. The Higher Education Department of Punjab had notified holidays for colleges and universities until January 5 (last Friday). The final year students (BS-4) were allowed to continue classes and studies even during the winter holiday period.

UNYIELDING COLD PERSISTS ACROSS COUNTRY

While the winter vacations come to an end, the same cannot be said about the weather. According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), weather will remain extremely cold in most acreas of the country.

PMD said that chilly spell will persist for Punjab including Murree, Galiyat and surrounding areas, as well as in the lower plains. Fog and cold weather is expected in Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Khanewal, Khanpur, Rahim Yar Khan and surrounding areas.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Peshawar, Mardan and Swabi among others will also stay dry and cold today.

Likewise, Sindh’s Sukkur, Benazirabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore and Khairpur will be cold, as will most districts of Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, says PMD.

GB and Kashmir in particular will receive extremely cold weather today, according to thePakistan Meteorological Department.