With Eidul Azha expected on June 7, Pakistan Railways has announced plans to operate five special trains to facilitate holiday travel, as per the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi has approved the schedule for these special services, which will connect major cities during the Eid holidays.
According to a spokesperson for Pakistan Railways, the first special train will depart from Karachi to Lahore on June 2 at 1:00pm. The second train will run from Quetta to Peshawar on June 3 at 10:00am, while the third will depart from Lahore to Karachi on the same day at 5:00pm. Later that evening, a fourth special train will leave Karachi for Rawalpindi at 8:00pm, and the fifth train will depart from Karachi Cantt station on June 4 at 5:30pm.
“The aim of these special trains is to ensure safe, comfortable, and high-quality travel for passengers during Eid,” the spokesperson stated. “Pakistan Railways is committed to helping families and loved ones come together for the festive occasion,” he added.
Eidul Azha Expected on June 7
Eidul Azha is expected to be observed on June 7, as astronomical data suggests that the Zilhajj moon will not be visible on May 27.
Astronomers report that the new moon of Zilhajj 1446 AH will form at 8:02am PST on May 27. By sunset that evening, the moon will be around 11 hours and 34 minutes old, making it unlikely to be seen even with telescopes.
SUPARCO data further indicates that along coastal areas, the interval between sunset and moonset will be about 37 minutes, making moon sighting improbable under any conditions.
Consequently, the first of Zilhajj is likely to be on May 29, setting the stage for Eidul Azha celebrations on June 7.
