The Ramadan 1447 moon sighting announcement in Pakistan was made on Wednesday night after the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee received and verified multiple testimonies from across the country.
The committee meeting took place at the Auqaf Department building in Peshawar under the chairmanship of Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad. Zonal and district committees also held parallel meetings in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Quetta.
Ramadan 1447 Moon Sighted Pakistan
A member of the committee informed that around 40 testimonies were received from Swabi, Dir, Muhimand, Batgram, Chaman and Karachi. These reports came from areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh.
Specifically, six testimonies were received from Muhimand, 15 from Chaman in Balochistan, and one from Karachi. After verification, the committee confirmed the sighting of the Ramadan crescent.
However, zonal committees in Islamabad and Lahore reported that the moon was not sighted in their cities by the end of the observation period.
Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad formally announced the beginning of Ramadan 1447 AH following the confirmation.
SUPARCO’s Astronomical Forecast
Earlier, SUPARCO had projected favourable conditions for moon sighting. According to its assessment, the new moon was expected to be born on February 17 at 5:01 PM Pakistan Standard Time.
By sunset on February 18, the moon’s age was approximately 25 hours and 48 minutes, which SUPARCO described as highly favourable for visibility. The time gap between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal belt was expected to be about 59 minutes.
Read: Ramadan Moon Sighting in Pakistan: Ruet-e-Hilal to Meet in Peshawar
“Based on key astronomical parameters, the chances of sighting the new moon with the naked eye on the evening of February 18 are very high,” SUPARCO stated. It added that the first day of Ramadan was likely to fall on February 19, 2026.
Despite the scientific forecast, SUPARCO emphasised that the official declaration rests with the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after it has verified public testimonies.
Sehri and Iftar Timings in Pakistan
With the official announcement made, Muslims across Pakistan will begin preparations for Sehri and Iftar. Prayer and fasting schedules vary by city.
The start of Ramadan marks a significant spiritual period observed through fasting, prayer and community gatherings nationwide.
