ISLAMABAD, Jan 10: Astronomical calculations showed that the Eid-ul-Azha would be observed in the country on Feb 2. Director of the Meteorological Office Malik Ghulam Qadir said on Saturday that astronomers suggested that there was no chance of sighting the new moon of Zil-Hijj on Jan 22 throughout the country. Therefore, the month of Zil-Hijj would commence from Jan 24.

While elaborating the technical aspects, Malik Qadir said some threshold values of astronomical parameters are essential for the possibility of sighting the new moon. He said the age of new moon should be more than 19 hours at the time of twilight for sighting the new moon of Zil-Hijj whereas at that time it would be less than 17 hours throughout the country.

He said the minimum duration of new moon after sunset should be more than 41 minutes whereas at that time it would be less than 33 minutes.

He said as the conditions for sighting the new moon were satisfactory on Feb 23, therefore, Eid-ul-Azha would be celebrated in the country on Feb 2, subject to confirmation by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.-APP