Ramadan moon sighted, first fast in Pakistan on Thursday, Feb 19
- Committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khubeer Azad announces this during a press conference in Peshawar
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on Wednesday announced that the crescent for Ramadan 2026 was sighted in Pakistan, and the first day of fasting will be observed on Thursday, February 19.
Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad announced this during a press conference in Peshawar.
He said testimonies were received from different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, including Upper Dir, Swabi, Quetta, Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, and other cities.
“Based on these testimonies, it was decided that the Ramadan moon has been sighted in the country, and the first Ramadan will be observed on Thursday, February 19, 2026,” he said.
A day earlier, Saudi Arabia and several Gulf countries — including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait — confirmed the sighting of the crescent and began fasting on Wednesday.
Ramadan is observed by more than a billion Muslims worldwide, who fast from dawn to sunset as an act of worship marked by reflection, self-restraint, and charity.
The Islamic lunar calendar is based on moon sightings, causing the holy month to shift each year in the Gregorian calendar and last either 29 or 30 days.
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