PESHAWAR – Ramadan 2026 is about to start in Pakistan as an important meetig of Ruet -e-Hilal is underway, after which the official announcment will be made. Millions of Muslims across Pakistan would look to the skies for a sacred sign: the Ramadan crescent moon.
Ruet-i-Hilal Committee meeting in Peshawar is presided by Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad is leading the meeting, while zonal and district committees from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and other cities are reporting their observations in real time.
Ramadan Moon Sighting Updates
According to media reports, several witnesses confirmed sighting of the Ramadan crescent from across Pakistan. The committee is reviewing the received moon sighting reports as part of the official process to determine the beginning of the holy month.
The final announcement regarding the sighting of the Ramadan moon and the start of the fasting month will be made by the Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad.
Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission SUPARCO predicted that Ramadan is likely to begin on February 19, based on the moon’s expected age. Yet, the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee remains the ultimate authority, relying on verified eyewitness accounts from across the country to announce the start of fasting.
Weather Office on Ramadan Moon
According to PMD, skies are clear over northwestern plains, including Peshawar, with partly cloudy conditions in higher-altitude regions. The moon, born February 17 at 5:01 pm PST, will hover on the horizon for about 35 minutes.
Region-wise visibility times
| Region | Moonset Time |
|---|---|
| Sindh | 7:24 pm |
| Punjab | 7:08 pm |
| Balochistan | 7:47 pm |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 7:13 pm |
| Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) | 6:58 pm |
| Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) | 6:53 pm |
Clerics from all schools of thought are attending to confirm the sacred start of Ramadan. Zonal committees are sending reports to the central panel in real time.
SUPARCO Update
The crescent for Ramadan 1447 Hijri is likely visible tonight. If confirmed, fasting hours will range 12–13 hours initially, gradually increasing through the month. PMD Deputy Director Anjum Nazir Zaighum adds that weather during Ramadan will be pleasant, with temperatures rising from the second week of March.
Ramadan has already begun in Saudi Arabia, with authorities declaring February 18 as the first day of fasting. While some countries follow astronomical calculations, Pakistan and others rely on traditional moon sightings.
Globally, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Afghanistan already began fasting on Wednesday after spotting the crescent on Tuesday night!
