On Wednesday, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) declared a five-day bank holiday for Eid ul Fitr, a religious festival Muslims celebrate. According to a notification issued by the State Bank of Pakistan, the bank will remain closed from April 21 to 25 (Friday to Tuesday).
• State Bank of Pakistan Announces Eid ul Fitr Holidays
• Eid ul Fitr is Expected to Fall on April 22
• Government May Extend Eid Holidays to Six Days
• Moon Not Visible on April 20 for Eid ul Fitr
• Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to Meet on April 20 for Moon Sighting
According to bol news reports, the federal government also authorized a five-day holiday to mark the end of the holy month of fasting, which is expected to be extended to six days.
While people expected Eid ul Fitr to be observed on April 21, Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council Secretary General Khalid Aijaz dismissed the possibility, stating that the moon would not be visible on April 20.
He told Bol News that the crescent marking the beginning of Shawwal would be visible after the completion of 30 days of Ramadan, and thus Eid ul Fitr will fall on April 22, Saturday.
Eid ul Fitr Bank Holidays
#SBP will remain closed from 21st to 25th April, 2023 on the occasion of #EidUlFitr.https://t.co/3RzkAKNJVv pic.twitter.com/MDcIF79TAo
— SBP (@StateBank_Pak) April 19, 2023
Aijaz also anticipated the time of the moon sighting, stating that the new crescent would be born at 9:13 am on April 20, and its age would be less-than 10 hours that day.
“The duration should be more than 19 hours for the crescent to be sighted, and even if the sky is clear that day [April 20], the moon wouldn’t be spotted,” he claimed.
As a result, any testimony received on April 20 will be incorrect, as Ramadan will last for 30 days, and the 1st Shawwal will fall on April 22.
According to a statement from the religious affairs ministry, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on April 20 to view the Eid ul Fitr crescent moon.