A notification claiming that Punjab’s public and private colleges and universities have ended mandatory attendance requirements has gone viral on social media, creating confusion among students and teachers across the province. However, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has officially declared the notification fake and urged the public not to believe or share unverified information.
The controversial document, dated January 17, 2026, suggests that educational institutions have been directed not to block students from admissions or examinations due to low attendance. It also claims that attendance-related fines and penalties have been abolished and warns of strict legal action against institutions that fail to comply.
The notification carries the name and signature of a Section Officer, Babar Khan Gondal, and quickly spread across WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, and student forums.
Fake Notification Claims End of Attendance Rules
The viral document, dated January 17, 2026, claims that educational institutions have been instructed not to penalize students for low attendance. It further states that colleges and universities are prohibited from imposing fines or restrictions related to attendance.
The notification also threatens strict legal and administrative action against institutions that fail to comply with the alleged directive. The paper carries the name and signature of a Section Officer identified as Babar Khan Gondal.
WhatsApp ChannelDue to its official-looking format, many students believed the announcement to be genuine.
HEC Issues Official Warning to Students and Institutions
Soon after the document went viral, the Higher Education Commission issued a formal warning, calling the notification fabricated and misleading.
HEC urged students, faculty members, and educational institutions to remain vigilant and avoid spreading or acting on unverified information. The commission emphasized that no official policy change has been made regarding attendance requirements in Punjab.
According to HEC officials, all academic regulations including attendance criteria remain fully applicable unless announced through official government channels.
Attendance Policy Remains Unchanged Across Punjab
Education authorities confirmed that attendance requirements are still in effect in both public and private colleges and universities across Punjab. Institutions continue to have the authority to enforce minimum attendance percentages for examinations, admissions, and internal assessments.
Officials warned that relying on fake notifications could seriously harm students’ academic standing and eligibility for exams.
Students Advised to Follow Only Official Sources
The Higher Education Commission strongly advised students and teachers to verify all academic updates through official HEC websites, university portals, and verified social media accounts.
The commission also appealed to social media users to stop sharing false documents, stating that misinformation creates unnecessary panic and disrupts the academic environment.
Growing Concern Over Fake Government Notifications
This is not the first time a fake government notification has circulated online. Experts say such misinformation spreads rapidly due to lack of verification and can cause serious confusion in education systems.
Authorities are now monitoring the spread of the fake attendance notice and may take action against those responsible for creating or distributing false documents.
Final Update
Punjab has not ended the attendance requirement for students. The viral notification claiming relaxation of attendance rules is fake and has been officially rejected by the Higher Education Commission.
Students are strongly advised to continue following their institution’s attendance policies and rely only on verified official announcements to protect their academic future.
