The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee is set to convene today in Peshawar to determine the sighting of the Ramadan crescent, marking the beginning of the holy month, state-owned Radio Pakistan reported.
The meeting will be presided over by the committee’s chairman, Moulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad, while zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committees will also meet separately at their respective headquarters for moon sighting.
Earlier this week, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) had forecasted that Ramadan in Pakistan would likely commence on March 2 (Sunday), with Eidul Fitr expected on March 31. However, the final decision rests with the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, as Islamic tradition requires a physical sighting of the moon with the naked eye.
Suparco’s statement indicated that the astronomical new moon (conjunction) would occur on February 28, 2025, at 05:45 PST, but emphasized that due to atmospheric conditions and the moon’s position, its visibility in Pakistan on this date is “extremely low.”
“Consequently, Sha’aban is expected to complete 30 days, and the first fast of Ramadan will likely be observed on March 2,” the press release stated.
Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, where the moon is expected to be visible on February 28 due to favorable conditions, Ramadan is likely to begin on March 1, a day earlier than in Pakistan.
For Eidul Fitr, Suparco’s calculations suggest that the Shawwal moon will be visible on March 30, leading to Eid celebrations in Pakistan on March 31.
The final announcement regarding the start of Ramadan in Pakistan will be made following the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee’s meeting later today.
