ISLAMABAD – The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has officially announced the winter vacation schedule 2025-26 for all federal government educational institutions. According to the notification, students in the capital will enjoy a winter break starting from late December as temperatures continue to dip across the country.
Islamabad Winter Vacation Dates
All Islamabad Model Schools and Colleges, located in both urban and rural sectors of the federal capital, will remain closed from December 26, 2025, to January 3, 2026.
Since January 4 falls on a Sunday, regular classes and academic activities are set to resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Important Directive for Staff
The FDE has issued a specific directive for administrative and teaching staff. Although students will be on break, Saturday, January 10, 2026, has been declared a mandatory working day. All teaching and non-teaching personnel are required to attend duty on this day to complete priority administrative tasks and academic planning as assigned by the Directorate.
Province-Wise Winter Holidays 2025-26 across Pakistan
In addition to Islamabad, other provincial governments have also finalized their holiday calendars to protect students from the prevailing cold wave and foggy conditions.
| Region | Start Date | End Date | Reopening Date |
| Islamabad (FDE) | Dec 26, 2025 | Jan 3, 2026 | Jan 5, 2026 |
| Punjab | Dec 22, 2025 | Jan 10, 2026 | Jan 12, 2026 |
| Sindh | Dec 22, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | Jan 1, 2026 |
| KPK (Summer Zone) | Jan 1, 2026 | Jan 15, 2026 | Jan 16, 2026 |
| KPK (Winter Zone) | Dec 22, 2025 | Feb 28, 2026 | March 1, 2026 |
Sindh and KPK Holiday Details
- Sindh: The School Education and Literacy Department has confirmed that all public and private schools will close from December 22 to December 31. However, ongoing supplementary board examinations will proceed without any change in the schedule.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK): Due to varied climate zones, KPK follows a dual schedule. Schools in colder “winter zones” will observe a long break until the end of February, while “summer zone” schools will have a short 15-day break in January.
Why the Winter Break Matters
The announcement comes as a relief for parents concerned about the health of children during the peak winter season. Educational authorities emphasize that these schedules are designed to ensure student safety during extreme weather conditions while balancing the academic calendar.
Note: All heads of institutions have been informed of these dates via Area Education Officers (AEOs) following the formal approval of the Director General, FDE.
