Eidul Fitr to fall on Wednesday: PMD advisory

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD)-Sindh has predicted that the new moon of Shawwal, 1432 AH would be sighted on Tuesday, August 30 and, thus, Eidul Fitr would fall on Wednesday, August 31.
In an advisory signed by the computerised data processing centre, PMD-Sindh Chief Meteorologist Naeem Shah said that the weather is expected to be fair/partly cloudy in the southern parts of the country on Tuesday evening; therefore, Eid is expected to fall on Wednesday in Pakistan.
According to sources, Shah is not a meteorologist; after the previous chief meteorologist was transferred, Shah replaced him and has issued several fake weather updates and forecast advisories, but the government has taken no notice of them.
Quoting astronomical data, Shah said in the written advisory that the age of the new moon should be more than 31 hours at the time of twilight for sighting the new moon, whereas this time it is more than 34 hours in most parts of the country.
“Minimum duration for the new moon after sunset should be more than 41 minutes, whereas this time around it is more than 40 minutes in the coastal areas of the country,” he added.
He said that the positions of the new moon and its angles at the time of sunset are also favourable for sighting the new moon in the coastal areas.
As such conditions for sighting the new moon of Shawwal on Tuesday are consonant with the prescribed criteria, the first day of Shawwal would fall on Wednesday in the country, he added.