January 29, 2003	Wednesday	Ziqa’ad 25,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Tuesday announced that Eid-ul-Azha was likely to be observed in the country on February 12 (Wednesday).

The astronomical considerations suggest a strong chance of sighting the new moon of Zilhaj on the evening of February 2 (29th Ziquad, 1423 A.H.). As such, Eid-ul-Azha would be observed in the country on February 12, subject to the confirmation by Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.

Elaborating the technical aspects, Deputy Director, PMD, Malik Ghulam Qadir said following the threshold values of astronomical parameters are essential for the possibility of sighting the new moon of Zilhaj, 1423 Hijri.

He said the age of moon should be more than 19 hours for sighting the moon of Zilhaj whereas this time, according to PMD calculations, the total age of the new moon came out to be 26-28 hours throughout the country.