Fawad Chaudhry says moon observatories to be set up in Islamabad and Gwadar by next year
JHELUM:Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Sunday that two moon observatories will be set up by next year to "permanently resolve" moon-sighting conflicts.
Speaking to the media here in the city,Chaudhry said the plan was to set up moon observatories in Islamabad and Gwadar where anyone would be able to go and see the moon for themselves.
"Given the debate we observed over moon [sighting] this year, we intend to set up a moon observatory in Islamabad next year and we're also trying to set one up in Gwadar too," the federal minister explained.
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"The issue of moon-sighting will be permanently resolved after the moon observatories" are established, he noted. "A common person will be able to go and see the moon and decide for themselves," he added.
The minister also thanked Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairperson Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rahman and other members, as well as religious scholars of Pakistan, for their contributions to the country.
"This Eid was not possible without them. I thank them all," he mentioned.
Chaudhry noted that the happiness of Eid-ul-Fitr had been dimmed, first due to the coronavirus pandemic and then because of the PIA plane crash when flight PK-8303 plunged into a residential neighbourhood of Karachi, killing all but two of the 99 people aboard.
"The good thing is that the entire country celebrated Eid together on one day this time. From Pasni to Lahore and from Karachi to Peshawar, one Eid was celebrated throughout the Islamic world," he added.
Religious festivities, the minister said, should be a reason of unity and agreement and "that happened today".