ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The federal government is working on a plan to reconstitute Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to legalise its functioning and to resolve conflicts of crescent sighting.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has been in the process of re-nomination of Central Ruet-e-Hilal committee members, said official sources on Saturday.
They said incumbent Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has no formal legal cover and is working only on the basis of a resolution, adopted by the National Assembly in January 1974. Thus it was set up through any legislation, they added.
Ruet-e-Hilal Committee members are given Grade 20 emoluments in respect of travelling and daily allowances on the day of meeting.
Besides, Rs 1,000 are paid as conveyance and mobile charges, said the sources.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony nominates the members of the Ruet Committee while the chairman of the committee holds the office for three years.
Incumbent Chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Mufti Muneebur Rahman has been holding the coveted office of chairman since September 13, 2001.
It merits mentioning that re-structuring or re-nomination of the committee had earlier been echoed in the Senate and also in Senate Standing Committee where some members termed the committee ‘controversial’ and demanded its restructuring.
Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in its meeting held last week had also sought a detailed report about legal and constitutional status of Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, perks and privileges being paid to its members, and criteria of the selection of its members and chairman by next meeting of the committee.
Source: APP
