Chaudhry thanks PM Khan, Cabinet colleagues for support for moon-sighting calendar
May 28, 2019
ISLAMABAD: Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Imran Khan and his colleagues from the Cabinet for lending their support for the moon-sighting calendar, according to which, Eid-ul-Fitr would be celebrated on June 5.
In a post on his Twitter account, Chaudhry wrote: "I am Grateful to the honorabl’e PM @ImranKhanPTI and cabinet colleagues for their support of MoonSighting calender.
"I hope after CII [Council Of Islamic Ideology] input we ll enter into a new regime of MoonSighting," he wrote.
On Sunday, the federal minister had launched the country’s first moon-sighting website and Hijri calendar and announced the date of Eid-ul-Fitr based on the lunar observations.
He had sent the five-year Hijri calendar to the IIC, the minister explained, adding that it would be presented before the Cabinet on Wednesday.
“I personally believe that there is no need to have Ruet-t-Hilal Committee in the country,” Chaudhry had stressed, adding that multiple departments had collaborated to make the moon-sighting website and calendar.
He was earlier subjected to severe criticism by the country's religious quarters for statements on the role of clergy in moon-sighting.
Earlier today, on the other hand, Chaudhry said the government was committed to launching a mobile application (app) developed for moon-sighting soon.
Speaking to a private TV channel, he said conspiracies were being hatched not to let Pakistan develop modern technological equipment and a moon-sighting app.
The minister said every possible measure had been taken by the Ministry of Science and Technology for the promotion and projection of technology in Pakistan.
