The possible date of Eid 2026 in Pakistan has become a key public discussion. Many people are eager to know whether Ramadan will last 29 or 30 days.
In this regard, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued its latest prediction about the Shawwal moon sighting. According to officials, the Shawwal moon is unlikely to be visible on the 29th of Ramadan.
If the moon is not sighted, Ramadan 1447 AH will complete 30 days. Eid ul Fitr 2026 in Pakistan would then likely fall a day later.
PMD Says Shawwal Moon Visibility Highly Improbable
Officials from the Meteorological Department stated that the new moon will be born at 6:23 AM on March 19. By sunset on the same day, the moon’s age will be only 12 to 13 hours.
Experts explained that this age is not sufficient for clear visibility. For a crescent to be seen with the naked eye, certain astronomical conditions must be met. These include adequate moon age, altitude, and angular separation from the sun.
Because the moon will be too young at sunset, the PMD believes sighting on March 19 is highly unlikely. This means Eid ul Fitr 2026 in Pakistan is expected to be observed after completing 30 days of fasting.
However, the final decision will not be based solely on astronomical data. Official confirmation depends on verified testimonies.
Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Holds Authority for Final Announcement
In Pakistan, the official moon sighting announcement is made by the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee. The committee collects and verifies testimonies from across the country.
Earlier, the Ramadan 1447 AH moon was sighted on February 18. The announcement was made by Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad during a meeting held in Peshawar.
The meeting took place at the Auqaf Department building. Zonal and district committees also held parallel sessions in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Quetta.
Committee members confirmed receiving around 40 testimonies from multiple regions. These included Swabi, Dir, Mohmand, Batgram, Chaman, and Karachi. Reports from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh were verified before the official declaration.
Islamabad and Lahore committees reported that the Ramadan moon was not sighted in their cities. Despite that, verified testimonies from other areas confirmed the start of Ramadan.
SUPARCO’s Astronomical Assessment
Earlier, the SUPARCO also shared its Ramadan moon forecast. The agency had predicted the birth of the Ramadan moon on February 17 at 5:01 PM Pakistan Standard Time.
According to SUPARCO, by sunset on February 18, the moon’s age was about 25 hours and 48 minutes. This duration was considered highly favorable for visibility.
The agency also noted that the time difference between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal belt was approximately 59 minutes. That window increased the chances of sighting.
However, SUPARCO emphasized that it only provides scientific assessments. The official start and end of Islamic months are determined by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after reviewing testimonies.
For Eid 2026, all eyes are now on the Shawwal moon sighting meeting. If the moon is not sighted on March 19, Eid ul Fitr in Pakistan is likely to be observed after 30 days of Ramadan.
