ISLAMABAD – Anticipation for Eidul Azha 2026 begins to build across Pakistan, and now Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has shared its latest lunar forecast, hinting that the sacred festival may fall in mid of last week of May.
According to its calculations, Zilhajj moon is expected to be born on May 17, setting the stage for the Islamic month’s beginning shortly after. While the prediction has sparked early excitement, the final confirmation will still come from the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after official moon sighting reports are reviewed across the country.
Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has released a detailed astronomical forecast indicating that Eidul Azha 2026 is likely to be observed on May 27, 2026, subject to official confirmation.
According to SUPARCO’s calculations, the new moon of Zilhajj 1447 AH is expected to be born on May 17, 2026 at 1:01am Pakistan Standard Time (PST). By sunset on the same day, the moon will be approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes old, a key factor in determining its visibility.
The commission further highlighted that in Pakistan’s coastal regions, there will be an estimated 60-minute gap between sunset and moonset, creating potentially favourable conditions for sighting the crescent—provided the skies remain clear and atmospheric visibility is ideal.
Based on these astronomical indicators, SUPARCO has projected that the first day of Zilhajj 1447 AH is likely to begin on May 18, 2026, which places Eidul Azha around May 27, 2026.
Last year, Pakistan witnessed large-scale Qurbani during Eid al-Adha, with approximately 7.418 million animals sacrificed nationwide, according to the Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA). The figure marks a modest increase of 1.62% compared to the previous year, highlighting continued strong participation in the annual Islamic tradition.
The breakdown shows that around 3.027 million cows were sacrificed, reflecting a notable rise of 6.4%. The number of buffaloes reached 287,946, also showing a slight increase of 1.6%. In contrast, goat sacrifices stood at 3.582 million, recording a small decline, while sheep dropped to 454,231, and camels decreased to 67,245, indicating minor downward trends in these categories.
Beyond its religious significance, Eidul Azha also generated substantial economic activity. The animal hides collected during the festival contributed billions of rupees to Pakistan’s leather industry, making it a crucial period for traders and tanners across the country.
7 consecutive Eidul Adha holidays begin from May 25 as weekly offs changed
