ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: Pakistan and countries in the northern hemisphere had the shortest day of the year on Wednesday. A Meteorological office spokesman said the shortest day is called the "Winter Solstice".

"Solstice is defined as either of the two times of the year at which the sun is furthest north or south of the equator. While. The summer solstice falls on June 21," he added.

However, he said the longest day on June 21 marks the peak of summer when the sun comes closest to the northern hemisphere. He said the countries the southern hemisphere experienced the longest day on December 22.

The spokesman said the day-night equation would remain the same for a couple of days in Pakistan, but the process of a gradual shift in time like early sunrises and late sunsets, would begin in the last week of December. On March 21 and September 22, he said, day and night were of equal length, adding that the process was known as 'equinox'. -APP