Imran to celebrate ‘unofficial’ Eid with IDPs today

Published July 28, 2014
PTI chief Imran Khan. – File Photo
PTI chief Imran Khan. – File Photo

PESHAWAR: Like several past years, Pakistan will witness two Eids this year also as local Ulema (cleric) committees in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) announced to observe Eidul Fitr on Monday.

Chief of the ruling Pakistan Tehreerk-i-Insaf (PTI) in KP, Imran Khan will celebrate the Islamic festival with the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan Agency on Monday in Bannu. He is likely to offer Eid prayers at Sports Complex in the major host town for IDPs.

A statement issued by the PTI’s media wing said that Khan would reach Bannu by 8am today and will also distribute Eid gifts among the IDPs.

Interestingly, the provincial government in KP has not yet announced or decided to observe Eid with Islamabad as the regional Ruet-i-Hilal (moon-sighting) did not convene any meeting on Sunday to assess the moon sighting witnesses.

Meanwhile, private moon-sighting committee of Qasim Ali Khan Mosque in Peshawar, headed by Mufti Shahabudin Popalzai also announced to celebrate Eidul Fitr on Monday.

Speaking to media representatives after the committee’s meeting, Mufti Popalzai said that they have received moon sighting witnesses from parts of KP and most of them are credible so Eidul Fitr would be observed on Monday on the basis of the testified witnesses.

Apart from cantonment and government residential areas, most parts of Peshawar and the adjoining districts will be celebrating Eidul Fitr on Monday following the announcement of Mufti Popalzai.

In Bannu, the local ulema committee under Mufti Abdul Ghani also announced that they had sufficient testimonies of moon sighting to celebrate Eid on Monday.

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