THE Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, made a strong case when he said that the task of announcing the sighting of the new moon should be assigned to scientists, astrologists and the Pakistan Meteorological Department who can predict and forecast very accurately the appearance of the new moon in Pakistan.

He had predicted days before the June 21 solar eclipse and the exact time down to the second that it will last in various cities of Pakistan.

The science minister has now predicted that this year there should be six eclipses — two solar and four lunar. Not only that but also when each should take place.

By doing away with the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the country will save millions that are spent on this body.

Col (retd) Syed Riaz Jafri

Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2020