PM directs payment of govt employees’ salaries ahead of Eid

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that salaries of federal government employees be released before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, the Prime Minister’s Office said on Monday.

According to a statement from the PMO’s media wing, the decision was made to ensure that federal employees receive their pay in time for Eid celebrations.

Federal departments have been instructed to process the payments ahead of the holiday period.

The move is aimed at providing financial support to government employees during the festive season.

Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said there was no likelihood of sighting the Shawwal moon on the 29th of Ramadan this year, indicating that the holy month is expected to last 30 days.

In a statement, the department said the new moon will be born on March 19 at 6:23 a.m., but at sunset its age will be between 12 and 13 hours, making it unlikely to be visible.

“Due to the moon’s young age and unfavourable visibility conditions, there is no chance of sighting it on the evening of March 19, corresponding to the 29th of Ramadan,” the statement added.