ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The federal government has decided to grant four public holidays on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. The holidays will take place on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday according to the decision.
The Deputy Director of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Anjum Nazir, announced that the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Islamabad on March 19 to observe the Shawwal moon.
He mentioned that moon sighting on that day is expected to be difficult. Nazir explained that the moon will be born at 6:23 am on March 19, and its age at sunset will be less than 12 hours.
Scientifically, a moon of such a young age is extremely difficult to observe, even with the help of a telescope. The meteorological assessment predicts that Ramazan will last for 30 days this year.
Eid-ul-Fitr expected date
The commission further added that, based on these astronomical parameters, the “chances of sighting the Shawwal crescent on the evening of March 19, 2026, are low.”
“Consequently, 1st Shawwal 1447 AH is anticipated to fall on Saturday, March 21, 2026, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Ramazan,” it added.
Furthermore, the Suparco continued that the final decision regarding the sighting of the Shawwal crescent and the commencement of Eid ul Fitr will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
PMD predicts Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 date
Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) also predicted that the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH is unlikely to be sighted on March 19, 2026, and Eid al-Fitr 2026 is expected to be observed on March 21.
In a statement, the Met Office said that the moon of Shawwal will be born on March 19 at 6:23 PST, adding that the crescent is expected to be visible on March 20, 3oth Ramzan 1447 AH.
At the time of sunset, the moon’s age at most meteorological observatories will be between 12 and 13 hours, which, according to the PMD, is not favourable for moon sighting.
“As per astronomical analysis, there is No Chance of sighting the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH on the evening of 19-03-2026 (i.e., on 29th Ramzan 1447 AH),” the Met Office said.
The department said the prediction is based on astronomical analysis.
