ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan will celebrate the Eid ul Fitr holidays from March 31 to April 2, as the government awaits moon sighting confirmation on March 30.
The federal government has officially declared a three-day public holiday for Eid ul Fitr. The holiday will begin on Monday, March 31, and end on Wednesday, April 2.
The announcement was made through an official notification that was issued by the Cabinet Division, allowing citizens across the country to celebrate the festival with their families.
The final confirmation of Eid’s date will depend on the sighting of the Shawwal moon, which will mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan for the year 2025. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, along with zonal committees, will call on the evening of Sunday, March 30 (Ramadan 29) to observe the moon and make an official announcement as per the sightings. Their meeting will take place at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, where religious scholars, meteorological experts, and other stakeholders will evaluate moon sighting reports from across the country.
The sighting of the new moon determines not only Eid ul Fitr but also the beginning of Ramadan and the mourning month of Muharram in the Islamic calendar. Given its religious significance, the committee will consider both scientific data and physical testimonies from across Pakistan before making a final decision.
According to the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the Shawwal crescent is expected to be visible on the evening of Sunday, March 30, making Monday, March 31 the likely date for Eid. Their assessment is based on astronomical calculations, scientific models, and modern observational data.
Experts from the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council have also supported this projection. Khalid Ijaz Mufti, Secretary General of the Council, explained that the new moon will be born on Saturday, March 29, at 3:58 PM Pakistan time. By the evening of March 30, the moon’s age will exceed 26 hours, making it easily visible to the naked eye under clear skies.
For the crescent to be sighted, it must be at least 18 hours old at sunset, a requirement that will be met comfortably this year. The vital factor of post-sunset moonset delaying beyond forty minutes throughout different cities enables clear lunar sightings.
The Ruet-e-Hilal Council predicts an uneventful moon sighting process because of the good weather conditions which will lead to Eid ul Fitr celebrations starting on Monday, March 31 throughout Pakistan.
