Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s Rs2m Ramazan moon sighting cost awaits cabinet nod

LAHORE: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is set to approve expenditures of Rs2 million incurred by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee for sighting the Ramazan moon, according to official agenda documents.

The matter will be taken up during the 48th provincial cabinet meeting scheduled for February 25, which will be chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Suhail Afridi.

Officials said the committee’s spending forms one of 18 agenda items to be discussed during the session. The amount was reportedly used for arrangements and operations related to the religious observance of the beginning of Ramazan.

Following cabinet approval, the expenditure will receive formal government sanction, completing the administrative process for funds already utilised for the moon-sighting exercise.

The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is responsible for confirming the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the start of Islamic months, including Ramazan, a process that involves coordination across multiple locations and religious authorities nationwide.