The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday announced Bank’s holidays schedule on account of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The State Bank issued a notification in this regard, announced that the bank will remain closed from 21st to 25th April (Friday to Tuesday).
Also Read: Supreme Court directs State Bank to release funds for Punjab & KP Elections
It is to be pertinent that the federal government had also approved a five-day holiday on Eid-ul-Fitr.
Earlier the sources claims that, federal government is considering to extend declared five public holidays to six on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. It is likely that Govt approved the holidays that will begin on Thursday 20th April instead on the following day till Tuesday 25th April.
The Ministry of Interior has already announced notification for five-day holidays. The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council (RHRC) said that Eidul Fitr is likely to be celebrated across the country this year on Saturday, 22nd April and Friday, 21st April would be Jumat ul Widah.
For sighting moon Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Islamabad on 20th April.
According to the statement released by the religious ministry, Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Moulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabeer Azad will chairn the meeting.
A statement from the ministry further said: “The meeting is set to be held at the religious affairs ministry in Islamabad and will be headed over by Ruet-e-Halal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad.”
The statement further said the meetings of the zonal committees will be held at designated locations across the country.
Earlier The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council (RHRC) said that Eid-ul-Fitr likely to fall on 22nd April 2023.
The chances of Eid falling on April 21, Friday were very low as the new crescent will be born at 9:13 am on April 20 and its age will be less than 10 hours that day.
While speaking to the media, the council’s Secretary-General, Khalid Ijaz Mufti, said that the Ruet officials is set to meet on 20th April , in order to sight the Shawwal moon.
It was unlikely that the Shawwal moon will be sighted on 21st April evening, he said, adding that if the crescent is sighted on Thursday evening, then Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, April 21.
Mufti Khalid Ijaz said that Eid ul Fitr 2023 will most likely be celebrated on April 22 after completing 30 fasting days of the holy month of Ramazan.
“The birth of the moon is expected to occur on Thursday, April 20, at 9:13am Pakistan Standard Time (PST), he said, adding that the duration of moon should be more than 19 hours and its age will be less than 10 hours in Pakistan.
“Even if the sky is clear that day [April 20], the moon wouldn’t be spotted,” Mutfi Khalid added.
Therefore, the 30th of Ramazan will be observed on 21st April , and the 1st of Shawwal will be celebrated on 22nd April , said the council.
Remember that Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the Holy month of Ramazan, during which Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. The festival is typically celebrated with prayers, family gatherings, feasting and full Zeal & Zest.
