At the start of the proceedings, a deputy attorney general and officials of the concerned departments appeared before the court.
The petitioner's counsel argued before the court that children were being adversely affected by the poor air quality, and the education department had announced winter vacations till the first week of January. The counsel requested the court to extend winter vacations to the second week of January.
On hearing the arguments, Justice Shahid Karim suggested that two-week winter holidays across schools in the district should be considered until the worsening smog situation in the provincial metropolis can be controlled.
The court also directed a member of the Judicial Water and Environment Commission to officially take up the matter of extending winter vacations with the education department.