PESHAWAR: Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Government Saturday after the announcement of Masjid Qasim Ali Khan has officially announced that Eid-ul-Fiter will be observed in the province on Sunday.

The announcement was made by Provincial Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour after he was directed by Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti.

Speaking to media representatives, Bilour said that it has been proven once again that Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee under Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman did not accept the evidences of Shawal moon sighting that were received from different parts of the province and announced Eid on Monday.

“The Central Moon Sighting Committee did not accept the evidences put forwarded by zonal committee…so what to say then….we are a political government and we will have to stay with the people and observe Eid with the people” he remarked.

He said that our Ulema (clerics) have received 24 evidences of moon sighting therefore government was bound to accept the decision of Masjid Qasim Ali Khan, where he said senior and seasoned religious scholars receive the evidences and decide about its authenticity.

Earlier, Mufti Shahabudin Poupalzai of Masjid Qasim Ali Khan announced that after receiving 24 authentic evidences of moon sighting the committee has decided to announce Eid-ul-Fitr on Sunday.

He said that Masjid Qasim Ali Khan's committee had tried to solve the issue of moon sighting and took the matter to the Senate but unfortunately the difference has been persisted.

Meanwhile, chief of official Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Professor Ghafor Ahmad said that the central committee did not accept the evidence came to the zonal committee. “The zonal committee had tried to contact Mufti Muneeb but he did not respond and before the zonal committee could inform him about the evidence received to it from across the province, the chairman made the announcement,” said Ahmad.

Moreover, he said that the zonal committee has informed KP Minister of Religious Affairs Nimroz Khan about the whole situation and requested the provincial government to announce Eid-ul-Fitr on Sunday.