ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): As the question “Pakistan Mein Pehla Roza Kab Hai” arises, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that the first Ramzan is likely to occur on February 19.
The Met Office has predicted that the Ramzan moon will be spotted in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), including Peshawar, on February 18, as it is expected to be born at 5:01 PM on February 17.
The PMD said that clear skies are expected over the plains of KP, including Peshawar, while the upper areas of the province may experience partly cloudy conditions.
The Met Department added that the moon’s age will exceed 19 hours, and it is expected to remain visible on the horizon for around 35 minutes by tomorrow evening.
Earlier, the PMD said the new moon of the holy month will be born on February 17 at 5:01 pm (PST), with a fair chance of sighting on the evening of February 18, corresponding to 29th Shaban 1447 AH.
The Met Office’s Climate Data Processing Centre said climate records suggest the weather is expected to be partly cloudy or fair in most parts of the country on the evening of February 18.
The department also shared region-wise timings for the last time of moon sighting (PST) on February 18, saying it will remain visible until 7:24 pm in Sindh, 7:08 pm in Punjab, 7:47 pm in Balochistan, 7:13 pm in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 6:58 pm in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and 6:53 pm in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
Who will announce Ramzan 2026 start date?
The central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Peshawar tomorrow to sight the Ramzan crescent.
“The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Peshawar tomorrow for sighting of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak 1447 Hijri moon,” state-run broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Tuesday.
The chairman of the committee, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, will preside over the meeting, while zonal and district RHCs will also meet at their respective headquarters to sight the moon.
The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee determines the dates for new Islamic months and Eid festivals by sighting the moon every year.
The committee announces the date for the start of Ramzan after visually observing the crescent and receiving testimonies of its sighting from zonal and district RHCs.
Significance of Ramzan
Ramzan is one of the Islamic calendar’s most spiritual and holy months and is celebrated with all zeal and zest across the Muslim countries, including Pakistan.
As soon as the holy month of Ramzan approaches, the streets transform into a spiritual hub, where Muslims congregate to observe a month of fasting, contemplation, and social bonding.
Traditional Iftar and Suhoor meals during Ramzan are woven into the daily routine. The family gathers around the table, sharing stories and laughter, often breaking fasts with a date and a piece of fruit.
The third meal of the day, often called Sahoor or Sehri, is eaten before sunrise, which is quite special as, in some families, all would rise before dawn to share a breakfast.
Doing charity and donating to needy friends and families is also an important element of the holy month of Ramzan. People who can afford help the needy people so that everyone can enjoy the blessings of this spiritual month.
People gather money and food essentials to distribute among the needy so everyone has a table full of food after a long day of fasting.
