'Missing' Mufti Popalzai has fled to Dubai: sources

PESHAWAR: Famed for his early moon sightings, Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai of Peshawar’s Qasim Khan mosque, who was reported missing yesterday has been sent to Dubai, sources told ARY News on Saturday.

The cleric who was reported missing after his followers could not find him for the session he conducts for the sighting of Eid crescent and usually declares Eid and Ramadan before country’s Reut-i-Hilal committee.

Sources have revealed that Popalzai has left for Dubai about two days ago.

The cleric fled to Dubai on June 22 and will return to the country on August 2, copy of his plane ticket says.

Popalzai and his self-formed committee used to declare the advent of Ramzan and Eid a day ahead of Central Reut-i-Hilal committee each year.