In Islamabad, various schools and higher education institutions shut down due to law enforcement reporting a terrorist threat from militant groups. Additionally, there were reports of one-week school and college closures in Punjab during the holidays in the capital, citing security concerns.
School Holidays in Punjab
Posts on social media platforms such as X and Instagram circulated information about school holidays in Punjab. False notifications from private schools and the Interior Ministry were distributed, falsely stating the closure of educational institutions. Additionally, a fake notification claimed that the Punjab School Education Department had declared holidays in anticipation of upcoming elections.
Reality behind the school closure news
As false reports circulated on social media and WhatsApp groups about school closures, Pakistan Observer contacted relevant officials to verify the information. The investigation revealed that there is no truth to the claims of school closures. No notifications regarding holidays were shared by the Punjab home department, education department, or any other officials.
Schools Holidays during Elections
Unverified reports suggesting the closure of educational institutions have been widely shared. These reports claim that schools will be closed for eight days in February, aligning with scheduled elections. According to the unverified information, schools, colleges, and universities are expected to shut down from February 4, 2024, with educational activities resuming on Feb 12.
However, the interim government of Pakistan has not officially announced any holidays, and a final decision is yet to be made. It is important to note that false reports about holidays can cause concern among students and parents. People are advised to verify information through reliable sources to prevent confusion.
