Pakistan would celebrate Eid on Wednesday (tomorrow) as the Shawwal moon was sighted on Tuesday. The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee chairman announced the decision at a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad said testimonies of moon sightings were received from the majority of the country and hence Eid would be celebrated on April 10.

He added that the moon was sighted in Karachi, Dir, Faisalabad, Skardu and other areas.

The moon-sighting body chairman congratulated the nation on the occasion. A “message of unity” was being sent to the Islamic world due to Eid falling on the same day, he said and added that committee’s efforts have united everyone.

“Pakistan is God’s blessing and we thank God for that. All of us together – the government, armed forces, and the people – will have to move forward to provide stability to the country and lead it towards progress and prosperity.”

All sections of society would need to move forward together for the sake of the country and paid tribute to the sacrifices of the armed forces for peace in the country.

“I think today the whole nation stands with its brave armed forces. Pakistan commonality is a narrative that ended terrorism and suicide bombing,” he said.

Members of the committee met on the roof of the Federal Secretariat’s Kohsar Block in Islamabad while meetings of zonal and district committees were held at their respective headquarters concurrently.

Members from various institutions, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Pakistan Meteorological Department, and the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) participated in the meeting.

Eid ul Fitr is observed on the first day of Shawwal.

“I think today the whole nation stands with its brave armed forces. Pakistan commonality is a narrative that ended terrorism and suicide bombing,” Azad said.

While speaking about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Saudi Arabia visit, he said that the kingdom in the past has supported the South Asian country and continue to do so in the future.

Eid is a significant festival in the Islamic calendar. Muslims all over the world observe a month of fasting, and Eid celebrations mark the end of this period of self-restraint.

Earlier this week, the federal government announced holidays for Eidul Fitr 2024 on Thursday. According to the notification, the holidays will begin on April 10, which falls on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Australia are some of the countries celebrating Eid on Wednesday (tomorrow).

According to astronomical parameters, the Met Office has said that there is a “chance” of spotting the moon on Tuesday. It said the weather was expected to be partly cloudy or fair in most of the country.

The committee has already urged citizens to share any information regarding sightings of the moon with the committees in their respective areas.