The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an astronomical forecast suggesting Eid ul Fitr is more likely to fall a day later this year, as the Shawwal crescent is not expected to be visible on the first potential sighting evening.
According to the Met Office’s analysis, the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH will be born at 06:23 PM on March 19, 2026. However, the department notes that by the evening of March 19 (29th Ramadan), the moon’s age at meteorological observatories will be around 12 to 13 hours, which is generally considered unfavorable for visibility.
Based on this, the PMD says there is no chance of sighting the Shawwal crescent on the evening of March 19, 2026. If that assessment holds, Ramadan would complete 30 days and Eid ul Fitr would likely be observed after the next evening’s sighting attempt.
Note: This prediction is based on astronomical calculations. The official announcement will be made by Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
Pakistan’s Ramadan began after the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee confirmed the crescent sighting on February 18, 2026, with the first fast observed on February 19 nationwide.
