Eid ul Adha in Pakistan on June 17 as Zil Hajj moon sighted

KARACHI: Muslims in Pakistan will celebrate Eid ul Adha on June 17, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Friday after sighting the Zil Hajj moon. 

The moon sighting committee was chaired by Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, with central and zonal committees' members, and representatives of SUPARCO, Met Office and Ministry of Religious Affairs in attendance.

Meanwhile, sub-committees in Lahore, Peshawar and other cities also convened in there respective areas to gather testimonies.

Preparations for Eid ul Adha, which falls on the tenth day of Zil Hajj — also marking the Hajj pilgrimmage — are in full swing across the country as people expect the moon to be sighted today. This means Muslims in Pakistan will celebrate the occassion on June 17. 

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries marked the beginning of lunar month, which is the last month in Muslim calender yesterday (June 6).

As per Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz, Zil Hajj new moon was born on Thursday evening and there are "strong chances" of the crescent being sighted today evening.

With Eid ul Adha just around the corner, cattle markets have been set up in different areas for people to purchase cows, goats, sheep, or camels for sacrifice.