Web Desk
The National Assembly of Pakistan has approved “The Pakistan Ruet-e-Hilal Bill 2022,” which aims to regulate moon sightings and hold private bodies accountable for unofficial sightings. The bill, initially introduced in 2021, was presented by Minister of State for Law and Justice, Shahadat Awan, in the absence of Religious Affairs Minister Talha Mehmood.
As per the bill’s provisions, no committee, entity, or organization, other than the federal, provincial, and district committees for moon-sighting, will be permitted to operate throughout Pakistan or any of its regions. The announcement of moon sighting will now exclusively be authorized for the chairperson of the Federal Ruet-i-Hilal Committee or any committee member authorized by the chairperson.
The bill outlines penalties for violations, including a fine of Rs500,000 for offenders. Furthermore, individuals found guilty of providing false evidence of moon sightings may face imprisonment for three years and a fine of Rs50,000. The bill also stipulates that any TV channel announcing a moon sighting before the official announcement by the federal committee will face a fine of Rs1 million or risk having its license revoked.
Under the legislation, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal committee will convene its meeting on the 29th day of each month, or as directed by the relevant division. In addition to the federal committee, provincial and district committees will also be established. The provincial Ruet-e-Hilal committees will consist of 13 members, while the Islamabad-based committee will comprise seven members. District committees, on the other hand, will be composed of six members.
The passage of “The Pakistan Ruet-e-Hilal Bill 2022” by the National Assembly reflects the government’s aim to regulate moon-sighting activities and ensure that official announcements are made by authorized bodies. The bill seeks to promote uniformity and prevent unauthorized individuals or organizations from influencing moon-sighting practices in Pakistan.
