LAHORE: The Punjab School Education Department has banned students from using mobile phones in all public and private schools across the province.
According to media reports, the department issued a directive to all district education authorities, instructing them to enforce the ban immediately.
Schools have been told to ensure strict compliance. The circular also urged school administrations to encourage students to take part in academic and co-curricular activities, highlighting the importance of personality-building programmes.
The notification follows a resolution presented by MPA Raheela Khadim Hussain, which was recently approved by a majority vote in the Punjab Assembly.
Winter Vacations For Punjab Schools:
The Punjab government has announced winter vacations from December 23, 2025, to January 11, 2026. Schools will reopen on January 13, 2026.
Meanwhile, rumours about early school closures due to smog have been denied. Provincial authorities said no such decision has been made.
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Punjab School Timings (Schedule) Changed
Earlier, Punjab’s Director General Environment Imran Hamid Shaikh announced that no public or private school in the province will be allowed to open before 8:45am. He said any violation of the timing will result in a fine ranging from Rs500,000 to Rs1 million.
He added that the change in school timings was necessary due to rising smog levels in Lahore and nearby areas. Between October 19 and 30, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) increased from 300 to 400, indicating a dangerous amount of hazardous particulate matter in the air.
On Sunday, Lahore became the world’s second most polluted city, recording an AQI of 346. New Delhi remained the most polluted city with an AQI of 467.
Health experts have advised citizens to wear masks and avoid unnecessary travel due to poor air quality.
