Cattle markets across Pakistan see massive rush ahead of Eid-ul-Adha

The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee is meeting in Karachi to sight the Zilhaj moon, which will determine the date for Eid-ul-Adha across the country. Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, speaking around 7:30 p.m., stated that while there were “ample chances” of a sighting, no confirmed testimonies had been received. The main meeting is being held at the Met Office, with experts from the meteorological department and SUPARCO in attendance.

Zonal committees are simultaneously convened in other major cities to gather evidence. The Ministry of Religious Affairs’ zonal committee meeting in Islamabad is being chaired by Mufti Zamir Ahmed Sajid, while the session in Lahore’s Auqaf building is headed by DG Auqaf Hafiz Anis-ur-Rehman. All findings will be forwarded to the central committee in Karachi, which will make the final announcement.

This follows a forecast by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) that Eid-ul-Adha is expected to fall on May 27. According to its astronomical parameters, the new moon was born at 1:01 a.m. on May 17, making its age approximately 18.5 hours at sunset. SUPARCO noted this created favourable conditions for a sighting, subject to clear weather. If the moon is sighted, the first of Zilhaj 1447 AH will be marked for May 18.

As preparations for the festival continue, the National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) has banned vehicles carrying sacrificial animals from using the country’s motorways. The initiative aims to ensure the safety, security, and convenience of commuters during the busy Eid travel season.

According to an NHMP statement, the ban was imposed because overloaded, unfit, and improperly secured vehicles transporting livestock have previously caused serious accidents and major traffic congestion, resulting in the loss of life and property. These vehicles will be redirected to alternative routes.

To ensure effective implementation, provincial police in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been asked to establish check posts near motorway entry points and cattle markets to help enforce the directive.