The federal government has announced that the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will convene in Peshawar to sight the Ramadan moon, with the goal of ensuring a unified start to the holy month across Pakistan. The meeting, scheduled for February 28, 2025, aims to resolve long-standing regional differences in moon sighting that have led to varying dates for Ramadan and Eid celebrations, especially between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other provinces.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the session will be chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, and while zonal committees will hold their own meetings, the final decision on the moon sighting will be made by the central committee. The ministry will oversee the arrangements, with hopes that holding the meeting in Peshawar will foster consensus among religious scholars and pave the way for synchronized observance nationwide.
In addition to these efforts for religious unity, Lahore is preparing for the holy month by setting up 10 model bazaars to provide essential goods at discounted rates. The markets, supervised by the district administration, will feature dedicated stalls for fruits, vegetables, spices, and meat products to accommodate Ramadan shoppers. Special counters will be available for women, senior citizens, and regular customers to enhance the convenience of shopping.
Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza, who chaired the preparatory meeting, emphasized that the initiative will improve accessibility and ensure that citizens can efficiently obtain quality goods during Ramadan.
