The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) scheduled five-day holidays for Eid ul Fitr, a religious celebration celebrated by Muslims worldwide.

The central bank declared in a notification that the bank will be closed from April 21 to 25 (Friday to Tuesday).

It should be mentioned that the federal government has also allowed a five-day holiday to honour the end of the holy month of fasting, which is one of the most anticipated festivals for Muslims.

According to media sources, the government may extend the Eid holidays to six days rather than the currently permitted five.

When is Eid ul Fitr this year?

While most people expect Eid ul Fitr to be on April 21, Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council Secretary General Khalid Aijaz has ruled it out, stating that the moon will not be visible on April 20.

According to the official, the crescent marking the beginning of Shawwal will be seen after the conclusion of Ramadan’s 30 days, and Eid ul Fitr will fall on April 22, Saturday.

Aijaz also predicted the moon sighting time, stating that the new crescent will be born at 9:13am on April 20 and will be less than 10 hours old.

“The crescent should be visible for more than 19 hours, and even if the sky is clear that day [April 20], the moon will not be seen,” he explained.

As a result, any evidence received on April 20 will be fraudulent because Ramadan lasts 30 days and the first Shawwal falls on April 22.

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will convene on April 20 to observe the sighting of the Eid ul Fitr crescent moon, according to a statement issued by the religious affairs ministry on Tuesday.