Eid al-Fitr holidays for public and private schools announced across Pakistan

LAHORE, April 6: The All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association has issued the schedule for Eid al-Fitr holidays. According to the announcement, private schools and colleges across the country will observe Eid al-Fitr holidays from April 10 to 14. These institutions will resume regular classes on Monday, April 15, 2024, following Eid al-Fitr.

Furthermore, the federal government, Punjab government, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government have also declared Eid al-Fitr holidays. The Punjab government has issued a notification for official holidays during Eid al-Fitr. According to the notification, offices operating five days a week will remain closed from April 10 to 12, while those operating six days a week will be closed from April 10 to 13.

Section Officer Welfare Safdar Shabbir issued the notification with the approval of Chief Secretary Punjab. It's worth mentioning that the federal government had announced Eid al-Fitr holidays two days ago, with holidays scheduled from Wednesday, April 10, to Saturday, April 13.

Similarly, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has also released a notification for Eid holidays. According to the announcement by the Department of Administration, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, offices working five days a week will remain closed from April 10 to 12, 2024 (Wednesday to Friday), while those operating six days a week will be closed from April 10 to 13, 2024 (Wednesday to Saturday).

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has approved four holidays for Eid al-Fitr. As per media reports, government offices and educational institutions will remain closed from April 10 to April 13 in connection with Eid al-Fitr holidays. It is important to note that preparations for Eid al-Fitr have commenced across Pakistan and around the world, as the end of the holy month of Ramadan approaches.

A meeting of the Central Sighting of the Crescent Committee has been convened to sight the Eid al-Fitr moon. The meeting, scheduled for April 9 in Islamabad, will be chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Chairman of the Ruet Hilal Committee. The committee will announce the sighting of the Shawwal moon based on testimonies received from all over the country. The meeting will be attended by members of the Ruet Hilal Committee, Meteorological Department, SPARCO, and Science Technology officials.

The meeting of the Central Sighting of the Crescent Committee will take place at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, while the meetings of the Zonal Sighting of the Crescent Committees will occur at their respective locations. The Chairman of the Central Sighting of the Crescent Committee will announce whether the Shawwal moon is sighted or not. Millions of Muslims are eagerly awaiting the confirmation of the date for Eid al-Fitr. It is expected that the Shawwal moon will be visible on April 9 across the country.

The Meteorological Department has provided a prediction regarding the Eid al-Fitr moon, stating that the new moon will be born on April 8 at 11:21 pm. On April 9, the moon will be visible for approximately 19 to 20 hours after sunset, with a visibility duration of over 50 minutes. Clear skies are expected in most parts of the country on April 9, while some northern regions may experience cloudy conditions.

According to the Meteorological Department, if the moon is sighted on April 9, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10. It's noteworthy that earlier, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Chairman of the Ruet Hilal Committee, had also indicated the scientific possibility of the Shawwal moon being sighted on the 29th of Ramadan. As per this scientific assessment, Eid al-Fitr could be observed in Pakistan on Wednesday, April 10. Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad highlighted the scientific basis for the moon of Shawwal potentially being sighted on the 29th, stating that scientifically, the moon's age will be approximately 20 hours, with an angle of around 10 degrees. If the Shawwal moon is sighted on the 29th, Eid al-Fitr in Pakistan is likely to occur on Wednesday, April 10.