LAHORE: Schools across Punjab are set to reopen on September 1 following the summer break, but institutions located in flood-affected areas will remain closed for an extended period as local administrations grapple with the damage.
Deputy commissioners in multiple districts, including Lahore, Pakpattan, Narowal, Muzaffargarh, and Multan, issued notifications outlining the closures.
In Lahore, schools will reopen as scheduled on September 1, except those located in flood-hit localities, which will stay shut until further orders. Parents have been advised to remain in close contact with school administrations for updates.
In Pakpattan, the deputy commissioner directed 12 schools to remain closed indefinitely, while in Narowal, institutions will stay shut until September 5.
In Multan District, most schools will reopen, but 23 institutions — eight in Jalalpur Pirwala, nine in Shujabad, and five in Saddar — will not resume classes yet. Sixteen of these are currently being used as flood relief camps.
The situation is most severe in Muzaffargarh, where the deputy commissioner ordered 105 schools to remain closed until September 6 due to flood damage and ongoing relief operations. Of these, 89 are directly affected by floodwaters from the Chenab River, while 16 have been converted into temporary shelters.
Despite these localized closures, district administrations confirmed that schools across the rest of Punjab will reopen as scheduled on September 1 under provincial government directives. Authorities have also instructed all schools to strictly adhere to safety guidelines issued by the School Education Department to ensure a smooth return to academic activities.
Section 144 on food distribution in Gujrat
In Gujrat, Deputy Commissioner Noorul Ain Qureshi imposed Section 144 in flood-affected areas to regulate food distribution for victims. According to the notification, the supply of food items, drinking water, milk, and other edibles will only be permitted with prior written approval from the Punjab Food Authority or the District Health Authority. Without clearance, the distribution of cooked meals, ration bags, hampers, or drinking water is strictly prohibited.
Sialkot extends school holidays
Meanwhile, in Sialkot, all public and private sector educational institutions will remain closed from September 1 to 5 due to the recent floods. Deputy Commissioner Saba Ashghar Ali issued the directive on Sunday, citing Punjab School Education Department’s instructions to prioritize the safety of students, teachers, and staff.
