Eid-ul-Fitr likely on April 10, met office predicts

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday said that there were high chances of the Shawwal crescent being sighted on April 9 making the first day of Eid-ul-Fitr on April 10 (Wednesday).

The Met Office said birth of the new moon would take place at 11:21pm on April 8 and its age next day in the evening would be between 19 and 20 hours. It said after sunset the moon could be sighted for more than 50 minutes.

The PMD said the sky in most parts of the country would be clear on April 9. However, it added that the sky might be cloudy in northern areas.

Pakistan Railways to run four special trains on Eid-ul-Fitr

The crescent for the holy month of Ramadan was sighted on March 11 in Pakistan and the first day of the holy month was observed the next day. So, Pakistanis would observe 29 days of fasting, if the PMD’s forecast turns out to be true.

However, the final announcement regarding the sighting of the Shawwal Moon will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee which will hold its sitting on April 9.

The meeting of Zonal and District Ruet-e-Hilal committees also expected to be held for collecting evidence in respect of sighting of the the Eid-ul-Fitr moon.