Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has addressed reports circulating about making the Friday holiday a permanent feature in schools, colleges, and universities across the province.
The minister said the government does not plan to continue the Friday holiday on a permanent basis and is preparing to end the arrangement in the coming weeks. He added that consultations are underway with the federal government to formally withdraw the policy.
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He said the current schedule was introduced as a temporary step and will be reversed as the situation stabilizes, with institutions expected to return to their regular weekly timetable.
Responding to questions about summer vacations, the minister said any decision on reducing the holiday period will be taken after May 15, subject to approval from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The Friday holiday was introduced earlier after a sharp increase in fuel prices triggered by a global energy crisis, which raised transportation and operational costs. Under this policy, physical classes were suspended on Fridays, while institutions were directed to conduct online classes instead.
Officials had maintained from the outset that the arrangement was temporary, aimed at easing the burden during a period of high petrol and diesel prices.
With the situation under review, authorities are now moving toward ending the Friday holiday and restoring the standard academic schedule across the province.
