Govt moves for nationwide Ramadan start with unified moon sighting
The federal government has decided to convene the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Peshawar to sight the Ramadan moon, aiming for a unified start to the holy month across Pakistan.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the meeting to determine the beginning of Ramadan 1446 Hijri will be held on February 28, 2025.
Committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad will preside over the session.
Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committees will hold separate meetings in their respective regions, but the final decision on moon sighting will come from the central body.
The religious affairs ministry will oversee the arrangements.
Pakistan has historically faced differences in moon sighting, leading to varying Ramadan and Eid dates in different provinces, particularly between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the rest of the country.
The government hopes that shifting the central committee's meeting to Peshawar will foster consensus among religious scholars and ensure a synchronised observance of the holy month.
Moreover, Lahore is set to open 10 model bazaars across the city, as part of preparations for the holy month of Ramadan.
The markets, aimed at providing discounted and quality goods to citizens during Ramadan, will be set up under the supervision of the district administration, Express News reported.
A meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore, Syed Musa Raza, last week to finalise arrangements for the upcoming Ramadan bazaars.
According to the briefing, each of the 10 model bazaars will feature 10 shops – seven dedicated to selling fruits, vegetables, pulses, spices, and other goods, while three will be focused on meat products.
In an effort to make shopping more accessible, separate counters for women, senior citizens, and regular customers will be available.
This initiative is expected to enhance convenience and comfort, ensuring that everyone can shop efficiently.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
FIH Nations Cup final qualification: NBP hosts reception in honour of hockey team
KARACHI: National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) hosted a reception in honour of Pakistan's national hockey team on their outstanding achievement of reaching the final of the FIH Nations Cup, marking a significant milestone in the country's hockey resurgence. The national team delivered a thrilling performance against France, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory in the penalty shootout to earn their place in the championship final of this prestigious tournament on the FIH calendar. NBP takes particular pride in recognizing the exceptional contributions of its own players and officials who have been instrumental in the national team's success throughout this tournament. Ammad Shakeel Butt, recipient of the President award, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and current captain of the Pakistan National Hockey Team, and player Junaid Manzoor have demonstrated outstanding skill and commitment on the field, while the coaching staff led by Head Coach Tahir Zaman, supported by Assistant Coaches Asif Ahmed Khan and Zeeshan Ashraf, and Goalkeeping Coach Mazhar Abbas, all valued members of NBP's hockey programme, have provided exemplary leadership and expertise that has been crucial to Pakistan's impressive run. An event was held at the NBP Head Office to honour the teams' success, where President and CEO NBP Rehmat Ali Hasnie graced the occasion, appreciated the players' outstanding efforts and presented shields in recognition. NBP Hockey players appreciated the recognition, viewing it as a motivating factor for their growth and development and thanked CEO NBP and management enabling them to excel and proudly represent the country on international platforms. Rehmat Ali Hasnie, President & Chief Executive Officer, National Bank of Pakistan, expressed great pride at the national triumph: 'The electrifying performance by the Green Shirts represents more than just a victory—it signals the dawn of a new golden era for Pakistani hockey. Proving their mettle on the international stage, our players and coaching staff have reignited the passion and pride in the game. NBP remains resolutely committed to national athletic development, consistently nurturing emerging talent across the country through our comprehensive support infrastructure. Our departmental platforms serve as vital catalysts for professional growth and international exposure. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Urban mobility, education and roads: Sindh CM approves several projects
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over the 47th meeting of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Policy Board, reviewed and approved several transformative infrastructure and development projects aimed at enhancing urban mobility, vocational education, recreational spaces and road connectivity across the province. The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Saeed Ghani, Zia ul Hassan Lanjar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Secretary Transport/DG PPP unit Asad Zamin, members of the board and concerned officials. The board took strategic decisions on a diverse agenda, including the People's Green Transport Project, technical education reforms under STEVTA, the Rani Bagh redevelopment in Hyderabad, and progress on the Shahrah-e-Bhutto corridor. People's Green Transport Project: In a landmark move to overhaul Karachi's transport system, the PPP Policy Board approved engaging Transaction Advisors for the People's Green Transport Project, which aims to introduce 1,000 electric buses across the city. The advisors will assess the Unique Selling Proposition (USP) submitted by a private consortium. If deemed feasible, a detailed project will be implemented under the PPP model, involving phased procurement and operation of 600 twelve-meter and 400 eight-meter electric buses. 10 bus depots will be constructed, and the project will operate on a per kilometer payment model over a 10-year concession period, with ownership of assets transferring to the government thereafter. The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) confirmed the project's alignment with sustainable urban mobility goals, while previously appointed transaction advisors will be used to fast-track implementation, avoiding delays in procurement. Shahrah-e-Bhutto Project: The board reviewed key updates on the Shahrah-e-Bhutto high-speed corridor, which stretches upto 39 km from Korangi Creek Avenue (DHA) to the M-9 Motorway near Kathore. Dhabeji SEZ Project: The Board discussed in detail and reviewed the progress on the Dhabeji SEZ project. The Board emphasised the need to expedite the construction activities so that industrial activities can be initiated at the earliest. The STEVTA Reform Plan: The board also reviewed a proposal seeking ratification of Project Development Facility (PDF) funding to conduct feasibility and transaction advisory services for the modernisation of 83 technical and vocational institutes under the Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA). This initiative targets one-third of STEVTA's 259 institutes, aiming to address infrastructure gaps, curriculum mismatches, and industry disconnect. With an additional 540 private institutions operating in the sector, this effort is seen as pivotal to advancing Pakistan's National Skills Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals. Rani Bagh Redevelopment Project Nears Execution: Significant progress was reported on the Rani Bagh Development Project in Hyderabad. The board was informed that the Technical and Financial Evaluation Committee (TFEC) has recommended issuing a Letter of Award to the preferred bidder. With the revised Master Plan already endorsed by both the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) and the Sindh Cabinet, the final concession agreement and related documents are ready for execution. The project is set to deliver improved public amenities, recreational facilities, and economic activity in Hyderabad, while also generating employment and stimulating local businesses. Sukkur Water Supply Project: the Board was apprised about the project's salient features, in particular, the scope of work and transaction structure. The Board asked the Sukkur Municipal Corporation to rework the transaction structure and presentation in the next meeting for decision.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Pricing mechanism across country: DCs directed to analyse wholesale, retail prices regularly
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal directed all deputy commissioners of the provinces to compare wholesale and retail prices regularly and take corrective action where necessary. The minister urged the provincial governments to actively supervise and support this process. He also directed the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) to provide login reports to chief secretaries on a monthly basis. Federal Minister for Planning chaired a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) in Islamabad on Friday to review the inflationary trends and pricing mechanism across the country. The meeting was attended by the chief economist, chief statistician, senior officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and representatives from relevant federal and provincial departments. He emphasised the importance of effective monitoring through the Price Scorecard system. He highlighted during the meeting that the chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accessed the system 114 times, while Sindh accessed it only 10 times, Punjab 6 times, and Balochistan did not log in at all. Among Deputy Commissioners, Islamabad logged in 27 times, Karachi 6 times, and Quetta 4 times. The minister expressed serious concern over the underutilisation of the Price Scorecard by provincial administrations. The meeting was informed that prices of several essential items, including LPG, bananas, mustard oil, chickpeas, and moong dal, have decreased. However, sugar prices have surged, reaching nearly Rs190 per kilogramme in most cities. The country has witnessed a decline in sugar production this year, with output falling to 5.8 million tons from 6.8 million tons. In response, the Ministry of Food has decided to import 0.5 million tons of sugar to stabilise the market. During the meeting, the Chief Statistician presented key data indicating that the inflation rate for the fiscal year 2024-25 stood at 4.5 per cent, significantly down from 23.4 per cent recorded during the previous year. Minister Iqbal highlighted this as the lowest inflation rate in the past nine years, reflecting the government's effective policy interventions and improved supply-side management. In urban areas, food inflation was recorded at 4.2 per cent, compared to 6.2 per cent last year. However, supply chain disruptions due to highway closures in Sindh were noted as a contributing factor in localised price fluctuations. Minister Iqbal also called for the development of an advance supply and demand plan for the upcoming Ramadan to avoid shortages and price hikes. He appreciated the stability in food prices during Eidul Azha and stressed the need to maintain this momentum through coordinated efforts among federal and provincial stakeholders. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
