An Islamabad resident has filed a petition in the high court regarding the announcement of the Eidul Fitr moon. The petition requests authorities to ensure that the moon sighting is announced on time.
The petitioner, Abdullah, asked the court to direct the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to make prompt announcements. He said delays in confirming the Eidul Fitr moon create confusion among citizens.
According to the petition, late announcements sometimes cause people to perform Taraweeh prayers even when Eid may already have begun. This situation creates uncertainty for many families who are waiting for the official confirmation.
Abdullah also pointed out that delayed moon announcements lead to sudden crowds in markets. Many people rush to buy Eid items at the last moment. As a result, markets become overcrowded and difficult for authorities to manage.
The petition states that such situations can create law and order challenges. Abdullah asked the court to instruct authorities to take preventive steps. He suggested keeping non-Eid shopping markets closed once the moon is sighted.
He also requested that officials ensure the Eidul Fitr moon announcement is made immediately after confirmation. Quick communication, he said, would help reduce unnecessary crowds and maintain public order.
Meanwhile, experts have shared updates about this year’s moon sighting. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the moon-sighting committee will meet in Islamabad on March 19. However, officials believe the moon may not be visible that evening.
Deputy Director Anjum Nazir explained that the new moon will be born at 6:23 AM Pakistan time on March 19. By sunset, the moon will only be about 12 hours old.
Experts say a moon that young is usually impossible to see with the naked eye. Even with telescopes, visibility often requires at least 14 hours after the moon’s birth.
Because of this, many experts expect Ramadan to complete 30 days this year. If that happens, Eid is likely to fall on Saturday, March 21. However, the final decision will depend on the official announcement by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
For now, people across Pakistan are waiting for the confirmed sighting of the Eidul Fitr moon. The committee’s decision will determine the exact date of the Eid celebrations.
In other news read more about: Ramazan Moon Likely to Be Sighted on February 18 Across Pakistan
