Shawwal moon not sighted in Pakistan, first day of Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday, March 21

The Shawwal crescent was not sighted in Pakistan on Thursday, and the first day of Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 will be on Saturday, March 21.

This was announced by Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, who presided over a meeting in Islamabad.

The zonal and district committees also met at their respective headquarters for sighting of the moon.

Addressing a press conference, Maulana Khabeer said that the skies remained cloudy over most of Pakistan, while in some areas they were clear. He said no testimony of moon sighting meeting Shariah standards was received from anywhere in the country.

He said esteemed members from various institutions, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Pakistan Meteorological Department, and the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), participated in the central committee meeting.

Last week, SUPARCO said the chances of sighting the Shawwal crescent on March 19 were low, making March 21 the likely date for Eid-ul-Fitr in Pakistan.

READ MORE: Saudi Arabia, UAE announce Eid-ul-Fitr on March 20 after Shawwal moon not sighted

Following the approval of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Cabinet Division on March 15 issued a notification declaring March 20 and 21 as public holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr across the country.

The notification specifies that these holidays will apply to all offices, including those observing both five-day and six-day working weeks. The closure of offices is intended to allow officials and employees to celebrate the festive occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr with their families.