The winter vacation schedule for 2025-26 has been finalized across Pakistan, with provincial education departments issuing dates based on regional weather conditions. Each province and administrative region has set its own timeline, keeping in view local temperatures and the convenience of students, teachers, and school administrations.
Balochistan (Cold Regions)
Schools in Balochistan’s colder areas will observe the longest winter break this year. All public and private schools will close from 16 December 2025, with vacations extending for nearly two and a half months. Classes are scheduled to resume in early March 2026, depending on local notifications.
Punjab
The Punjab School Education Department has scheduled winter holidays from 23 December 2025 to 11 January 2026. All educational institutions will reopen on 13 January 2026, marking the start of the new academic session. Schools have been instructed to complete assessments and first-term activities before the break.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Plains and Hilly Regions)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will follow two different schedules due to climate variation:
- Plains: Winter vacations will be observed from 22 to 31 December 2025.
- Hilly Areas: Schools in colder, upper regions will remain closed from 22 December 2025 to 29 February 2026, with reopening planned for March 2026.
General Instructions for Schools
Provincial authorities have directed all public and private schools to adjust their academic plans in line with the approved schedules. Institutions have also been asked to inform parents in advance about any:
- Online assignments
- Home-based learning tasks
- Winter vacation study plans
- Required updates during the break
Schools are expected to maintain communication with parents to ensure students remain engaged in light academic activities during the holidays, especially in regions experiencing extended closures.
Pakistan’s diverse climate means temperatures vary widely from the plains of Punjab and Sindh to the snowy highlands of Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. To ensure student safety, each provincial education department designs its own winter timetable based on meteorological conditions and accessibility of school areas.
