ISLAMABAD: SUPARCO has predicted, regarding the sighting of the Shawwal crescent, that there is little chance of the moon being visible on March 19, meaning Eid al-Fitr is likely to fall on March 21.
Meanwhile, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has called a meeting on March 19 to sight the Shawwal moon.
According to SUPARCO, the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH will be born on March 19 at 6:23 AM. By sunset on March 19, the moon’s age will be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes.
In coastal areas, the time difference between sunset and moonset is expected to be about 28 minutes.
Therefore, the chances of sighting the Shawwal crescent on the evening of March 19 are low. Consequently, the 1st of Shawwal 1447 AH is expected to fall on Saturday, March 21, 2026, and Eid al-Fitr in Pakistan is likely to be observed on March 21.
The final official announcement on the sighting of the Shawwal moon will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
On the other hand, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has summoned a meeting on March 19 in Islamabad to sight the Shawwal moon.
The meeting will be chaired by the Chairman of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Abdul Khabeer Azad, and will include scholars from all schools of thought as well as representatives from relevant institutions.
The decision on when Eid will be celebrated will be made after reviewing testimonies during the March 19 meeting.
