ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has announced that the Eid-ul-Fitr moon has not been sighted in Pakistan; therefore, Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on Saturday, March 21, 2026
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee held a meeting today, March 19, 2026, in a bid to sight the Shawwal moon and determine the official date for Eid ul-Fitr 2026 in Pakistan.
The meeting was being held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in the Kohsar Block of the Pak Secretariat, Islamabad.
Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad chaired the meeting. The committee includes religious scholars from all schools of thought, alongside technical experts from the Pakistan Meteorological Department and SUPARCO.
Zonal and district committees simultaneously met at their respective headquarters across the country to gather and verify local testimonies.
The meeting also reviewed the reports of the zonal committees established in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta, but the moon could not be confirmed from anywhere.
The Chairman of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee said that after examining all the evidence, a decision has been taken in accordance with Sharia and scientific principles. He appealed to the people to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with religious zeal and responsibility.
Chances of sighting the moon
Earlier, SUPARCO and the Met Office had indicated that the chances of sighting the crescent on the evening of March 19 are low.
Based on the forecasts, it is highly likely that Ramazan will complete 30 days, placing Eid ul-Fitr on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
The federal government has already announced the holiday schedule from March 20 to March 21 for Eid.
