The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Saturday that the moon of Muharram-ul-Haram was not sighted in Pakistan, and Youm-e-Ashura would fall on Wednesday, July 17

Accordingly, the Ashura — Muharram 10 — will be observed on July 17 Wednesday.

The announcement came after a moon-sighting body presided over by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad met in Quetta to sight the crescent of Muharramul Haram 1446 Hijri.

The meetings of zonal and district bodies of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee were also simultaneously held at their respective headquarters.

Muharram was counted amongst the most sacred months with many historic events taking place in it.

Muharram is a month of mourning, observed in particular by Shia Muslims worldwide. It marks the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, where amongst many, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), Imam Husain, was martyred and other family members were martyred or subjected to humiliation.

 Sindh government has banned 143 ulema and zakireen for 60 days as part of security measures during the month of Muharram, while the Punjab government has requisitioned the services of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers while announcing a ban on pillion riding across the province. However, the federal government has not yet taken any decision to suspend internet services during Muharram