Punjab’s winter holidays send families chasing snow despite cold warnings

RAWALPINDI:

As winter holidays were announced across Punjab to protect students from cold, fog and smog, families instead travelled from comparatively warmer areas to regions experiencing extreme cold and snowfall.

With the start of winter, government and private schools, colleges, universities and academies across Punjab were given 21 holidays.

However, instead of avoiding cold and smog, students, parents and teachers headed to much colder regions including Murree, Kalam Valley, Galiyat, Malam Jabba and Swat.

Students, parents and teachers have now demanded an additional week of winter holidays. Meanwhile, as severe cold and snowfall began, families from Murree, Galiyat and Malam Jabba moved to Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Peshawar to protect children from extreme weather.

In Murree, Galiyat and Malam Jabba, winter vacations at educational institutions last from December 24 to March 5, spanning nearly two and a half months, while summer vacations are limited to two weeks.

Residents from these areas have temporarily relocated to Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock and Chakwal.

At the same time, families from Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sargodha and northern Punjab have arrived in Murree and Galiyat for winter holidays.