At least five first information reports (FIRs) have been registered across Punjab against the Ahmadi community for sacrificing animals on Eidul Azha. The complaints have been registered under Section 298-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Section 298-C of the PPC elaborates on the penalty for a person of the Ahmadi group calling themselves a Muslim or preaching or propagating their faith.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani has approved arrangements of collective sacrifice during Eidul Azha with the assistance of non-profit organisations. Shallwani asked the organisations to make arrangements for online booking and dispatching of meat due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People could also obtain their meat from zonal offices of these organisations.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Hussain Chaudhry has predicted that Eid-ul-Azha will fall on Friday, July 31. Chaudhry said that the prediction is based upon the ministry of science’s five-year lunar calendar. The minister also noted that the Zilhajjah moon will be sighted on July 21, and will be visible over Karachi and its adjoining areas.
The government has announced a four-day holiday on accounts of Eidul Azha and Independence Day. According to the Interior Ministry notification issued on Wednesday, August 12 to 15 (Monday to Thursday) have been declared public holidays. Last month, Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry had announced this year’s dates for Eidul Azha and the beginning of the month of Muharram, based on scientific evidence.