Decision regarding Eid-ul-Azha: 'NWFP government to follow Qasim mosque lead'

The ANP led government once again decided to follow the local moon sighting committee of Masjid Qasim Ali Khan and observe Eid-ul-Azha according to witnesses at the historical mosque irrespective of the central moon sighting committee's decision in this regard.
Provincial minister for information Mian Iftikhar on Tuesday clearly said NWFP government is bound to accept the Sharai Shahadat (witnesses) decision, therefore, Eid-ul-Azha would be observed officially a day before rest of the country if prominent Mufti (religious scholars) announced it. Mian Iftikhar said Sharia Shahadat could not be rejected, as people of the province demand the government to follow the scholars in this regard.
We had taken the decision of observing Eid after religious scholars of NWFP accepted the moon sighting witnesses and declared them trustworthy. Masjid Qasam Ali had received more than 40 witnesses of moon sighting and declared Eid after recording the witnesses in Masjid Qasam Ali Khan, the provincial government's spokesman said.
He said though moon sighting was a religious matter and those having authority on Sharia should decide it, adding the provincial government wants to follow the decision of the scholars having authority on the matter. On other hand Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman, chairman central moon sighting committee strongly criticised the ANP led provincial government's decision saying that 80 percent people of NWFP will not accept the decision claiming they follow the central moon sighting's committee announcement regarding Eid-ul-Azha.
Mufit Munib had strongly criticised the ANP leadership for announcing Eid-ul-Fiter a day ahead of the rest of the country and had suggested that ANP should select Mufti Shahab-u-Din as its new party chief. ANP strongly reacted against Mufti Munib saying the Musharraf regime loyalist should be removed from his slot.
Provincial Assembly has also summoned Mufti Munib to appear before the standing committee on privileges to clarify his position as to why he used 'derogatory language' against the members of the legislative assembly. Mufti Munib yet to appear before the committee arguing NWFP Assembly had no authority to summon him.