PESHAWAR, Nov 16: Maulana Hassan Jan has announced that he is resigning from the central Ruet-i-Hilal committee in protest against what he described as derogatory remarks of Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad and federal secretary of religious affairs.

“Both should apologize for their remarks against the people of the NWFP and for not reversing the decision of the central Ruet-i-Hilal committee regarding the sighting of Ramazan moon,” Maulana Hassan Jan said in a statement issued on Sunday.

Besides, Mufti Muneebur Rehman should also be removed from the chairmanship of the central committee,” the statement, issued from Jamia Imdadul Uloomul Islamia, Peshawar, said.

He insisted that the government should call the central Ruet-i-Hilal committee meeting on Nov 24, instead of Nov 25.