ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said on Tuesday that the Eid moon will likely be sighted on the 29th fast, falling on June 4 and the Eidul Fitr will likely to be celebrated on June 5.
While talking to media, Fawad Chaudhry said that according to the lunar calendar, Eid will be on June 5, Wednesday in Pakistan.
Fawad Chaudhry said that the lunar calendar has been sent to the Council of Islamic Ideology.
He said that he requested the council to invite Shahab-uddin Popalzai and Mufti Muneebur Rehman, so that the ulema can be briefed.
Fawad Chaudhry said that Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and Department of Meteorology participated in making the calendar.
As Shawwal moon is predicted to be sighted on June 4, Pakistanis specially the government, semi-government and private sector employees are expected to enjoy five-day Eid holidays on Eid-ul-Fitr 2019.
University of Karachi’s Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics Director Professor Shahid Qureshi has predicted that the Shawwal moon is likely to be sighted on June 4.
If the crescent is sighted on June 4 (29th of Ramzan), subsequently Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on June 5 which falls on Wednesday and if the moon is sighted on June 5 (30th of Ramzan) the Eid will be celebrated on June 06 (Thursday).
Usually, the federal government announces three to four Eid holiday, therefore, whether moon is sighted on June 4 or 5, the government employees will likely get five holidays (June 5-7 ‘Eid-ul-Fitr Day 1, Eid-ul-Fitr Day 2 and Eid-ul-Fitr Day 3’ holidays followed by Saturday and Sunday June 8 and 9).
However, the employees of private sector likely return to their offices on Saturday, June 8 if Eid is celebrated on June 5.
