Govt announces four Eidul Fitr holidays

The PML-N-led federal government has announced a four-day holiday on the occasion of Eidul Fitr, starting from April 10.

As per the official announcement on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved holidays from April 10 to 13.

The Met Office on Monday predicted that the first day of Eid ul Fitr would fall on April 10 as the Shawwal moon was expected to be sighted on April 9.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said the crescent would be born on April 8 at 11:21pm and it would be aged between 19 and 20 hours the next day around Maghrib prayer. 

The crescent could be spotted for over 50 minutes around the sundown, it said.

The PMD said the sky in most parts of the country would be clear on April 9. However, it added that the sky might be cloudy in northern areas.

Eid ul Fitr is observed by Muslims across the world after Ramadan culminates and Shawwal begins. The Islamic month of Ramadan teaches to practice patience and self-control while also promotes charity and welfare, while Eid serves as a festive and joyous occasion immediately after that.

Islamic months last 29 or 30 days and the beginning or end of a month depends on the appearance of the crescent, so Ramadan is not set on any specific day annually.