In A First, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee To Be Regulated Under New Law

Federal Ministry for religious affairs is all set to introduce a new legislation pertaining to the Ruet-e-Hilal committee and formulate a new law providing legal cover to issues related to Hajj and Umra pilgrimages. Express Tribune reported that a draft law about the Ruet-e-Hilal committee has been sent to the relevant committee for suggestions. Once the committee issues its recommendations, the religious affairs ministry would send the draft to the law ministry.
Express Tribune quoted sources as saying that the proposed law states that announcement of moon sighting by individuals on their own would no longer be allowed. Moreover, the draft suggests punishments and fines for the people who announce moon sighting individually.
The Ruet-e-Hilal committee came into being in 1974 through a resolution passed by the National Assembly. However, the resolution did not propose any particular rules for the body and neither have the same been made since then. Mufti Muneebur Rehman was appointed as the chairman of the committee and he continues to hold the office till date.
Sources revealed that the PTI government plans to introduce formal legislation pertaining to the committee and its functioning. The appointment of its chairman and members and their tenures are also likely to be included in the new legislation, the report added.