Pakistan meteorological department says that astronomical calculations suggest that there is hardly any chance of sighting new moon of Shawwal in the evening of 12th October 2007 throughout the country. As such, the month of Shawwal would commence in Pakistan from 14th October 2007 on Sunday, subject to confirmation by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
Elaborating the technical aspects, the Met office spokesman informed that the following threshold values of the astronomical parameters are essential for sighting the new moon of Shawwal, 1428 Hijri.
Age of the new moon should be more than 26 hours at the time of twilight for sighting new moon of Shawwal whereas this time it is off course, more than 32 hours in most parts of the country. According to the prescribed criteria, the excessive life of the new moon is not the sufficient factor to overcome the other most essential parameters comparatively for sighting.
Minimum duration for the new moon after sunset should be more than 41 minutes whereas at this occasion, it is less than 28 minutes at some places and even very less almost all over the country.