MIRANSHAH: The Ulema of North Waziristan tribal district were divided in two groups regarding the announcement of crescent sighting for the holy month of Ramazan on Monday night.

According to information received by TNN from local sources, the head of local non-official moon-sighing committee in Haiderkhel village of Mir Ali tehsil, Maulana Rafiullah has announced that moon was sighted by six witnesses therefore the first Ramazan will be observed by people who follow him today (Tuesday), April 13.

On the other hand, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) North Waziristan Ameer Maulana Haroon said no witness came to him regarding moon-sighting therefore the moon-sighting committee will continue to hold meetings at respected places today.

The main unofficial moon-sighting committee of Masjid Qasim Ali Khan in Peshawar has also announced that no witness was available for moon-sighting on Monday evening. The meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will be held in Peshawar today for moon-sighting.

Saudi Arabia has already announced that first of Ramazan will be observed in the kingdom today. The moon-sighting in the kingdom was carried out on Sunday evening, but moon was not sighted and it was announced that the first of Ramazan will be observed today.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a sizeable number of people also follow the Saudi calendar and they will be observing the first of Ramazan accordingly. Besides that, the Afghan refugees in Pakistan also follow the Saudi calendar. Although announcements were not made in the mosques about Ramazan moon sighting, but people following the Saudi calendar in private meetings decided to start Ramazan from today.

On official level, there is most likelihood that moon would be sighted in Pakistan today evening and first of Ramazan will be observed tomorrow (Wednesday).

Federal Minister for Science and Technology has also predicted that moon will be visible in different parts of the country in the evening today.

In a tweet few days ago, the minister said the moon of Ramazan would be clearly sighted on April 13 in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi. He prayed that Ramazan become a month of mercy and blessings for all.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has already forecast that the Ramazan moon will be sighted April 13 due to clear sky with few clouds.