The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on March 19, 2026, to sight the Shawwal moon, which determines the official date of Eid in Pakistan.
However, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has predicted that the crescent will likely not be visible on the evening of March 19. Astronomical calculations suggest the moon will be too young for clear sighting, making March 21 the probable day for Eid celebrations across the country.
The committee meeting in Islamabad will be chaired by Abdul Khabir Azad, with scholars from all schools of thought and representatives of relevant institutions present. During the session, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will review sighting reports and testimonies from across Pakistan before announcing the start of Shawwal.
Suparco stated that the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH will appear at 6:23 am on March 19. By sunset, the moon will be about 12 hours and 41 minutes old. In coastal areas, the difference between sunset and moonset will be approximately 28 minutes, considered insufficient for the crescent to be clearly seen.
Due to these factors, Suparco has indicated low chances of moon sighting, suggesting that Eid will most likely be observed on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Officials stressed that the final decision regarding the start of Shawwal and the Eid date will be made by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. While astronomical calculations provide guidance, the official declaration depends on verified moon sighting reports.
In other related news also read Expected Dates for Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha Revealed
The committee’s announcement on March 19 will provide the official confirmation for Eid, allowing citizens to plan their celebrations accordingly.
