K-P lawmakers divided over Eid celebrations

K-P CM celebrates Eid today, while K-P governor, other PTI lawmakers will celebrate tomorrow

PESHAWAR: Drifting away once again from the decision of the central moon-sighting committee to celebrate Eidul Azha on Monday, some districts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa celebrated Eid today in line with Peshawar’s moon-sighting committee - a rift also apparent in the senior leadership of the province.

K-P Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak offered Eid prayers in his hometown Nowshera today in keeping with the decision of the unofficial moon-sighting committee of Peshawar’s Masjid Qasim Ali Khan. However, K-P governor and senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Sardar Mehtab Abbasi did not offer Eid prayers today and will offer them tomorrow with the rest of the country following the central committee’s announcement.

Further, while some Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers offered Eid prayers in Peshawar today, the rest will offer them tomorrow at D-Chowk with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan.

Upholding the central committee’s decision, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq will also celebrate Eid in Dir tomorrow.

Earlier, K-P had announced to celebrate Eid on three different days: Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

While Afghan refugees living in different parts of the province and people of some tribal agencies celebrated Eid on Saturday, most of the districts are celebrating today.

The rest of K-P – including Hazara Division, parts of Swat and Chitral and cantonment areas across the province – will, however, celebrate Eid with the rest of the country on Monday.

The Afghan refugees settled in Peshawar and its suburbs offered their Eid prayers on Saturday in line with the official announcement of their government in Afghanistan which follows Saudi Arabia.