Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has officially confirmed sighting of the Ramazan crescent moon for the year 1447 Hijri, marking the start of the holy month of Ramzan in the country.
The announcement came after the committee met in Peshawar on the evening of Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to review verified sightings from across multiple regions. With the crescent sighted in areas including Karachi, Upper Dir, and Swabi, the committee declared that the first fast (roza) will be observed nationwide on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad said testimonies and reports from zonal moon-sighting teams supported the decision. The committee’s meeting included input from representatives of the Pakistan Meteorological Department and SUPARCO (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission), whose earlier astronomical predictions had indicated a strong chance of moon visibility on the evening of February 18.
In Pakistan, Ramadan’s start is determined by physical moon sighting rather than astronomical calculation alone, so observers and committee members across major cities and rural areas focused on the western horizon after sunset. This year’s confirmed sighting brings relief and joy to millions as families prepare for the month of fasting, night prayers (Taraweeh), increased charity, and communal iftars.
The announcement from the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee follows similar confirmations in several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where the crescent was sighted earlier, and fasting began on Wednesday, February 18.
With Ramadan officially underway, mosques, markets, and Muslim households across Pakistan are finalizing arrangements for sehri and iftar schedules as the spiritual month begins.
