Zilhaj moon sighted in Pakistan, Eidul Azha on June 17

Peshawar: The Zilhaj moon was sighted in Pakistan and the Eidul Azha will be celebrated on June 17 (Monday), announced Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad on Friday.  

Earlier, the Zilhaj moon was sighted in Peshawar, according to the zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. The members of the committee claimed that they had viewed the moon and gathered video footage. The footage was also sent to the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. 

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi later, Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad said Eid will be celebrated on June 17 after testimonies of moon sightings were received from various cities all over the country, including Peshawar, Attock, Kohat, Mianwali, Taxila, Murree, Narowal and Lahore.

A meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Karachi was earlier held to sight the Zilhaj moon, according to the religious affairs ministry.

This meeting took place at the Pakistan Meteorological Department building in Karachi with simultaneous zonal meetings in the provincial capitals and Islamabad.

Earlier, Peshawar and Quetta zonal committees also announced that the crescent was spotted in respective cities.