Reute-Hilal Committee to apologize over Safar moonsighting wrong info: Fawad

The moonsighting controversy in the country is not dying down anytime soon, in fact it has taken another leap ever since the science and technology ministry launched its own website for this purpose.

Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday sought an apology from the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee for making a mistake in this regard.

Speaking at an event in the provincial capital, the minister said that those having wisdom can understand but a certain section of the society could not be convinced. He did not elaborate on it further.

Recently, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced that the moon for the month of Safar was not sighted on Sunday (September 29), meaning the first of Safar would be Tuesday (October 1).

However, according to the pakmoonsighting.pk there was ample evidence of moonsighting on the day.

The minister said pictures in this regard have been released on the internet, which contradict the announcement made by the religious body.

Fawad Chaudhry asked the committee members to apologize for making a wrong assessment.

Moreover, Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday has claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Peoples Party (PPP) only demand to release their senior leaders from jails without plea bargaining.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the minister said that PML-N and PPP are holding anti-government movements to free former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and ex-president Asif Ali Zardari from prisons.

He further said that international community should take practical steps to resolve the long standing Kashmir dispute.

He said the people who try to cross the Line of Control should wait for the final call of Prime Minister Imran Khan otherwise it will create and affect the pious efforts of Pakistan for regional peace.

The federal minister said Pakistan believes in peaceful neighborhood but Modi does not know about it.

He said despite deputing large number of army in the held valley, Indian occupation forces remained failed to suppress the Kashmiris.