ISLAMABAD: Official moon sighting authorities in Pakistan announced the successful sighting of the Shawwal moon on Friday, officially declaring that Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed nationwide on Saturday.
This joyous occasion, which marks the conclusion of Ramadan, will also be celebrated in several countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Oman, and India, on the same day, March 21.
Prominent political figures and officials have shared their plans for Eid prayers: former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz will pray at Raiwind, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will observe Eid in Lahore. Members of the Sharif family, including Hamza Sharif, Salman Sharif, and Atta Tarrar, will also gather in Lahore for the festivities.
In Punjab, key political leaders will perform Eid prayers at various locations: Rana Sanaullah in Faisalabad, Khawaja Asif in Sialkot, Punjab Governor at the historic Badshahi Mosque, and Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan in Khaddiyan Khas. Leaders like Chaudhry Shujaat, Pervez Elahi, Salik, and Shafaq Hussain will join celebrations in Gujrat, while Khawaja Saad Rafique, Mujtaba Shujaat, and Ali Pervez Malik will be in Lahore.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s celebrations will see Chief Minister Sohail Afridi observing Eid in Bara, Khyber District, with Governor Faisal Karim Kundi praying in Dera Ismail Khan. Speaker Babar Saleem Swati will be in Mansehra, and Chief Justice S.M. Atiq Shah of Peshawar High Court will celebrate Eid in Charsadda.
Other provincial leaders will partake in prayers and festivities across different districts: PTI Chairman Gohar in Buner, ex-KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak in Nowshera, JUI-F’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Dera Ismail Khan, opposition figure Dr. Ibadullah in Shangla, Aimal Wali of ANP in Charsadda, and Aftab Sherpao of the National Awami Party also in Charsadda.
Eid celebrations are also underway in Saudi Arabia and many other nations today, marking a global commemoration of the festival.
Authorities have urged citizens to adhere to health protocols while participating in congregational prayers and festivities to ensure everyone’s safety.
