Ramazan to begin in Pakistan from tomorrow

KARACHI: The Ramazan moon was sighted today (Friday) across Pakistan, signaling that the holy month will begin in the country from tomorrow (Saturday).

Earlier on Thursday, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee informed the moon had not been sighted. Meanwhile, the holy month has already begun in many countries today.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had announced that it had sighted the crescent moon and thus Ramadan would begin today (Friday). The moon-sighting committee of United Arab Emirates’ and Singapore also announced that the month of fasting would commence from Friday in the country.

However, Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai once again divided the nation by declaring that the holy month of Ramazan will start today (Friday). The cleric said his decision was based on 9 evidences gathered by the mosque.

This year, people will observe the holy month of Ramazan amid coronavirus pandemic – which has killed more than 194,000 people around the globe. Pakistan is also struggling to cope with the challenges.

Several political leaders wished the people of Pakistan a blessed Ramazan. They took to twitter and also urged the masses to stay at home during the holy month.

Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar took to Twitter and wished the people at the start of the holy month while urging that the country was expecting people to maintain social distancing.

تمام مسلمانوں کو رمضان المبارک کی رحمتیں، برکتیں اور خوشیاں مبارک ہوں

اس سال ماہ رمضان میں وطن پاک ہم سےسماجی فاصلے قائم رکھنےکا تقاضا کررہاہے

میں بھی اس سال گھر پر نماز پنجگانہ اور تراویح ادا کروں گا اور امید ہےکہ ہر شہری ریاست پاکستان کی ہدایات کےمطابق عبادات کا اہتمام کرےگا!

— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) April 24, 2020

Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab also wished people a blessed Ramazan and expressed hope that the people would observe Ramazan by protecting the people around them from coronavirus.

Ramazan Mubarak everyone. I hope that we all will observe this holy month by protecting the people around us from Corona Virus. May Allah SWT be kind to everyone & protect us from this pandemic. This is my prayer from #Home

— SenatorMurtaza Wahab (@murtazawahab1) April 24, 2020

Earlier today (Friday), Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar announced that the government has decided to extend the nationwide lockdown by 15 days. The restrictions will now remain in place until May 9.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah announced that the evening Taraweeh prayers during Ramazan will be restricted to 3-5 persons and the rest of the people will have to offer the prayers at home.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government ordered that all shops except pharmacies will shut down at 4 pm every day while takeaway from restaurants will also be allowed until that time.