ISLAMABAD: Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is set to meet today to sight the Shawwal moon, a decision that will determine when Eid al-Fitr is celebrated across Pakistan.
The meeting will be chaired by Maulana Syed Abdul Khabir Azad and held at the Kohsar Block of the Ministry of Religious Affairs on the 29th of Ramadan. Alongside committee members, officials from the Pakistan Meteorological Department will also participate.
Meanwhile, zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committees will convene in various cities, with the central body issuing the final announcement based on testimonies received nationwide. However, SUPARCO has indicated that the moon is unlikely to be sighted today.
Regionally, several countries have already finalised their Eid dates. Saudi Arabia announced that the moon was not sighted, confirming that Ramadan will complete 30 days and Eid will fall on Friday. Similarly, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have declared Eid on March 20 after failing to sight the moon.
In contrast, Afghanistan is celebrating Eid today after its Supreme Court accepted multiple testimonies from witnesses in Farah, Helmand, and Ghor provinces confirming the moon sighting.
Therefore, the final decision in Pakistan now hinges on local moon sighting reports, with an official announcement expected later tonight.
