KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced on Thursday that fresh currency notes would not be issued for Eidul Fitr this year. In a statement, the central bank stated that the general public would not be provided with fresh currency notes for the upcoming festival.
SBP usually issues billions of fresh currency notes on Eid every year, but the issuance was stopped last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent the spread of the virus. The decision this year is taken in line with the ongoing pandemic situation in the country.
As for the date of Eidul Fitr, the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council (RHRC) stated that the likelihood of the festival falling on April 21, Friday, is very low as the new crescent will be born on April 20 at 9:13 am, and its age will be less than 10 hours that day.
Eidul Fitr likely on April 22
According to Mufti Khalid Ijaz, Eidul Fitr 2023 is most likely to be celebrated on April 22, after completing 30 days of fasting during the holy month of Ramazan. He further stated that it is unlikely that the Shawwal moon will be spotted on April 21 evening.
Eidul Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramazan, during which Muslims across the world fast from dawn until dusk. The festival is usually celebrated with prayers, family gatherings, and feasting.
However, due to the pandemic, many people may choose to celebrate the festival in a restricted manner this year.
With the decision of SBP to not issue fresh currency notes, people may have to resort to using previously circulated currency notes for exchanging Eidi or gifting purposes.
