Islamabad: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Peshawar on February 18 (Wednesday) to sight the crescent moon of Ramadan 1447 AH, raising the possibility that the holy month may begin on February 19 (Thursday) across Pakistan.
The meeting will be chaired by Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad. Following deliberations and testimonies received from across the country, the final announcement regarding the sighting of the Ramadan moon will be made by the chairman.
Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meetings will also be held simultaneously in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Quetta. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued the necessary notification in this regard.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), there is a strong possibility of sighting the Ramadan moon on the evening of February 18. The birth of the new moon is expected to occur on February 17, 2026, at 5:01 PM.
In Karachi, the moon’s age on February 18 will be approximately 26 hours at the time of sunset, which is considered favorable for visibility. Sunset in Karachi will take place at 6:25 PM, while moonset is expected at 7:24 PM, providing a visibility window of nearly one hour. Officials say there are better chances of moon sighting in Karachi compared to other regions.
The Meteorological Department has stated that for the crescent to be visible, its age should exceed 19 hours, a condition likely to be met on February 18. Weather conditions across most parts of the country are expected to remain partly cloudy.
If the crescent is sighted on February 18, the first fast of Ramadan will be observed on February 19, 2026. However, the final decision will rest with the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee following verification of moon sighting reports.
