Serene Air has launched an exciting Eid offer, presenting travelers with an attractive opportunity to fly from Islamabad to Karachi at a discounted fare of just Rs. 12,999. This special promotion comes as a welcome option for individuals planning to visit family and friends or embark on vacations during the festive season of Eid. With its reputation for providing quality service and comfortable flights, Serene Air aims to cater to the travel needs of passengers while ensuring affordability and convenience. The discounted fare opens up possibilities for travelers to explore new destinations, reunite with loved ones, or simply enjoy a well-deserved break without breaking the bank. As Eid is a time for celebration and togetherness, Serene Air’s offer adds to the joy by making air travel more accessible and affordable for everyone. Whether it’s visiting relatives in another city or taking a leisure trip, passengers can take advantage of this opportunity to make their Eid celebrations even more memorable.

Meezan Bank stands as a prominent Islamic banking institution within Pakistan’s financial landscape, renowned for its comprehensive array of Shariah-compliant financial products and services. Since its inception in 1997, the bank has steadily ascended to become the largest Islamic bank in the country, distinguished by its unwavering commitment to ethical banking practices and customer-centric services. In a recent podcast discussion, Mirza Salman Asif, the CEO of Mehboob Sons Rice Exports and a keen student of capital markets, shared an intriguing revelation regarding the remarkable growth trajectory of Meezan Bank’s stocks. Asif articulated that an individual who had invested Rs. 1 million in Meezan Bank stocks back in 2010 would now witness their investment valued at Rs. 3.25 crore, underscoring the exponential growth potential inherent in strategic investments within the stock market over time. This revelation not only highlights the financial prowess of Meezan Bank but also serves as a compelling testament to the transformative power of long-term investments in fostering wealth accumulation. Moreover, Asif’s perspective underscores the critical importance of acquiring a deep understanding of fundamental concepts in capital markets, enabling individuals to make informed and astute investment decisions that pave the way for sustained financial growth and prosperity. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, such insights serve as invaluable guiding principles for individuals seeking to navigate the complexities of investment opportunities with prudence and foresight.

Pakistan Railways has recently unveiled a substantial discount in train fares, marking a significant initiative to enhance accessibility and affordability for passengers nationwide. This strategic move aligns with the government’s vision to prioritize public transportation and make it more accessible to all segments of society. By reducing fares, Pakistan Railways aims to encourage greater patronage of its services, thereby easing the burden on commuters and offering them a cost-effective alternative for travel. The discounted fares are expected to benefit a wide range of travelers, including regular commuters, long-distance travelers, and families embarking on vacations or visits. Furthermore, this initiative is likely to stimulate economic activity by facilitating smoother movement of people across different regions, fostering connectivity, and potentially boosting tourism and commerce along railway routes. Overall, the announcement of discounted train fares reflects Pakistan Railways’ commitment to serving the public interest and contributing to the nation’s socio-economic development through improved transportation infrastructure and services.

On Tuesday, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Karachi Imran Yaqoob Minhas highlighted a concerning trend during the month of Ramadan, revealing that an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 professional beggars migrate to Karachi to exploit the Eid season. According to the senior police official, both beggars and criminals perceive Karachi as a lucrative market and converge on the city during this period. AIG Minhas pointed out that street criminals, originating from various regions such as interior Sindh and Balochistan, also capitalize on the influx. Stressing the importance of heightened surveillance, he called for the installation of additional cameras across the provincial capital to bolster monitoring efforts and deter criminal activities.

Eid-ul-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, is a significant occasion celebrated by Muslims worldwide, including Pakistan. The festive atmosphere in Pakistan during Eid-ul-Fitr is marked by various traditions and customs that reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage and religious diversity. Families and friends come together to offer special prayers at mosques and open spaces, seeking divine blessings and forgiveness. After the prayers, people exchange greetings of “Eid Mubarak” and embrace each other as a gesture of goodwill and unity. One of the highlights of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations in Pakistan is the tradition of giving “Eidi,” which are monetary gifts given by elders to children and younger family members. Additionally, delicious traditional dishes are prepared and shared among loved ones, adding to the joyous festivities. Throughout the day, homes are adorned with colorful decorations, and communities organize various events and activities to commemorate the occasion. Eid-ul-Fitr in Pakistan is not just a religious festival but also a time for fostering bonds of kinship, spreading happiness, and expressing gratitude for the blessings of Ramadan.

In 2024, astronomers have forecasted that Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to coincide on the same day in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, marking a significant astronomical alignment. Their analysis indicates that Eid-ul-Fitr 2024 is projected to occur simultaneously in both countries, presenting a rare occurrence that aligns with celestial events. According to their observations, on April 8, a solar eclipse will take place, which will prevent the sun from being visible in Saudi Arabia. This unique alignment occurs as the new moon positions itself between the sun and the earth, causing an eclipse of the sun. As a result, by sunset on April 9, the moon will have aged approximately 20 hours, setting the stage for the sighting of the new crescent moon, a crucial marker for determining the start of Eid-ul-Fitr. Experts further explain that the crescent of the new moon for Eid is estimated to be at 0.5%, highlighting the precise calculations involved in predicting the timing of this auspicious occasion.

On Tuesday, internet services in Pakistan faced disruptions, leading to reported outages and sluggish speeds across various parts of the country. According to outage tracking website Downdetector.com, internet services were disrupted in multiple regions, impacting Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL), Nayatel, and Transworld Home. Users encountered service disruptions primarily with PTCL in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, while Transworld Home faced similar issues in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar. Nayatel users reported problems mainly in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and nearby Okara. Transworld Home communicated via email to customers, acknowledging an “unexpected nationwide outage” affecting internet services throughout Pakistan. The disruption significantly impacted businesses, educational institutions, and individuals relying on internet connectivity for various activities, underscoring the critical role of stable internet infrastructure in modern society. Internet service providers worked diligently to restore services promptly, but the incident raised concerns about the reliability and resilience of Pakistan’s internet infrastructure in the face of such widespread disruptions.

The Bohra Community in Karachi and various parts of Pakistan is currently observing Eidul-Fitr, adhering to their independent calendar schedule. Today, devotees have congregated at the Tahiri Masjid in Karachi’s Saddar area to partake in Eid prayers following a sermon delivered in accordance with their traditions. Despite the official announcement of Eid pending, contingent upon the moon sighting committee’s decision, Bohras uphold their longstanding practice of celebrating Eid on this pre-determined day. To ensure a secure and tranquil celebration, robust security measures have been put in place around the mosque, with police and Rangers personnel maintaining a vigilant presence. The Dawoodi Bohra community, renowned for its widespread presence across various countries including Pakistan, India, Yemen, and East Africa, underscores its global influence and significance across continents.

Dr. Muhammad Bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (WML), is embarking on a nine-day official visit to Pakistan, scheduled to commence today, just ahead of Eidul Fitr. During his visit, Dr. Al-Issa plans to lead the Eidul Fitr prayers at Islamabad’s iconic Faisal Mosque and engage in festivities with orphaned children, reflecting the spirit of compassion and solidarity. Additionally, he will lay the foundation stone for the Seerat Museum, further promoting cultural and historical understanding. Dr. Al-Issa’s itinerary also includes high-level meetings with Pakistani officials, including the president, prime minister, chief justice of the Supreme Court, and Minister for religious affairs, aiming to bolster diplomatic ties and discuss mutual interests. As the country eagerly anticipates the sighting of the Shawwal moon on April 9, signaling the commencement of Eidul Fitr celebrations, Dr. Al-Issa’s visit adds a significant dimension to the festive atmosphere, highlighting the importance of unity and cooperation among nations.

The Fitrana amount for 2024 in Pakistan has been officially announced by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. Fitrana, also known as Zakat al-Fitr, is an obligatory charity paid by Muslims at the end of Ramadan before the Eid prayer. It is intended to assist those in need to celebrate Eid al-Fitr joyfully by providing them with the means to purchase food and clothing for the festive occasion. For the year 2024, the Fitrana amount has been set at PKR 140 per person. This amount is calculated based on the average cost of basic food items and is determined by the committee in accordance with Islamic guidelines. Muslims who are eligible to pay Zakat al-Fitr are required to do so before the Eid prayer to ensure that those in need receive assistance in time for the celebration. The payment of Fitrana is considered a religious duty and an essential part of the observance of Eid al-Fitr in Pakistan.