The Punjab government on Monday clarified that a notification circulating on social media, claiming several public holidays in the first week of February, is fake and unauthenticated. The clarification was issued after the document gained widespread attention and caused confusion among the public, businesses, and educational institutions across the province.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari stated that the provincial government has not issued any such notification so far. She dismissed the circulating document as misleading and urged citizens not to believe or forward unverified information shared on social media platforms without official confirmation.
The viral notification, dated February 2, 2026, was falsely attributed to the Services and General Administration Department. It claimed that public holidays would be observed in Punjab from February 4 to February 7, citing multiple occasions during the same week.
According to the document, February 4 was listed as a public holiday on account of Shab-e-Barat, February 5 for Kashmir Day, while February 6 and 7 were mentioned as holidays for Basant. However, provincial authorities categorically denied the authenticity of this schedule.
The clarification comes amid ongoing public discussion regarding extended holidays in Punjab. Earlier, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz had officially announced a long weekend around Kashmir Day, including a provincial holiday for Basant on February 6, followed by Saturday and Sunday.
Officials stressed that the announced long weekend should not be confused with the viral notification claiming four consecutive public holidays. They reiterated that only officially announced holidays should be considered valid for planning purposes.
Following the circulation of the fake notification, the Punjab government advised citizens, institutions, and private organizations to rely solely on official announcements issued through authorized government channels. Authorities also warned that the spread of false information could lead to unnecessary disruption and confusion.
The provincial government assured that any changes or additions to the public holiday schedule would be communicated transparently through formal notifications and verified platforms.
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