Pakistan To Celebrate Eid On Saturday As Shawwal Moon Not Sighted

Pakistan will celebrate Eid ul Fitr on Saturday, March 21, after the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee said the Shawwal crescent was not sighted anywhere in the country. The decision was announced by Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad during a press briefing in Islamabad after meetings of central, zonal, and district moon-sighting committees held across Pakistan.

Officials said skies stayed mostly cloudy in many areas. Some places had clearer conditions. Still, the committee said it received no credible testimonies of a moon sighting. With no confirmed sighting, Ramadan will complete 30 days in Pakistan this year. The first day of Shawwal will begin on Saturday.

No Moon, Eid Moves

The central committee confirmed there was no verified sighting of the Shawwal moon on Thursday.  Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad said the committee reviewed reports from across the country. He said none met the required criteria.

A formal notification was also issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. It stated that the Shawwal month would begin on Saturday, March 21, following the committee’s decision. The announcement sets the date for Eid prayers, public gatherings, travel, and holiday planning nationwide.

Inside The Moon Check

Moon-sighting decisions in Pakistan rely on a structured committee system. It includes a central body and regional committees.

On Thursday, the process involved meetings at multiple levels:

• Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee meeting: Islamabad
• Zonal and district committee meetings: Held at regional headquarters across Pakistan
• Zonal committee input mentioned in reports: Peshawar

Some reports said the zonal committee in Peshawar received testimonies claiming a sighting. The committee recorded six testimonies, including five by phone and one in person, according to reporting. Those testimonies were forwarded to the central committee for scrutiny.

The central committee applies what it describes as Shariah-based verification criteria before accepting any report. After review, officials said no testimony was credible enough to confirm the new month.

Clouds Blocked Crescent Views

Officials linked the outcome to visibility conditions. The committee chairman said cloud cover affected many regions. Some areas had clearer skies, but the committee still received no acceptable sightings. Earlier forecasts had pointed to the same likely result. Reports cited two key forecasts:

• SUPARCO forecast: The chance of moon sighting on March 19 was minimal. Eid was expected on March 21.
• Pakistan Meteorological Department view: Ramadan was likely to last 30 days due to low visibility prospects for the crescent.

Some reporting also shared technical visibility details for Islamabad. Meteorologists cited sunset and a narrow window for potential visibility. They also noted the moon’s age was too low for a reliable sighting under typical conditions. These details supported the committee’s final decision.

Why This Call Shapes Eid

The Eid date affects daily life across Pakistan.

It determines:

• The official end of Ramadan fasting
• Timing for Eid prayers and religious gatherings
• Market activity, travel plans, and staffing schedules
• Coordination of public holidays and services

Islamic months can last 29 or 30 days. Their start depends on the sighting of the crescent moon. Because of this, Eid does not fall on the same Gregorian date each year.

Region Split on Eid Timing

Pakistan’s Eid date does not always match that of other countries. Different nations use different methods. Some rely on local moon sightings. Others follow astronomical calculations or adopt sightings from other locations.

In this case, reports noted a regional split:

• Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates: Expected to celebrate Eid on Friday.
• Pakistan: Eid set for Saturday after no confirmed sighting.
• India: Some reports said Eid would also fall on Saturday, after no confirmed sightings in several cities.
• Indonesia: Reported to observe Eid on Saturday after the crescent was not sighted.
• Afghanistan: Reported to have observed Eid earlier, based on its own announcements.

These differences are common during Ramadan and Eid periods. They reflect national procedures and local conditions.

Azad’s Statement, Government Notice

Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad delivered the central statement.

He said:

• The committee received no credible moon sighting reports from anywhere in Pakistan.
• The weather was cloudy in many areas, though some places were clearer.
• The committee reviewed testimonies from regional committees.
• The first of Shawwal would begin on Saturday.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony also issued a notification confirming the decision. Together, these statements provide the official basis for Eid on Saturday.

What the Public Should Do Now

With Eid confirmed for Saturday, government offices, businesses, and households will now align schedules.

Expected next steps include:

• Eid prayer arrangements: Mosques and prayer grounds will finalize timings.
• Travel planning: Intercity travel may increase on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
• Public services: Municipal and local administrations often issue Eid-related service updates.
• Market activity: Retail and transport demand usually rise before Eid.

People will also prepare for standard Eid practices, including charity and greetings. Many families will complete last-minute shopping on Friday. Food markets and tailoring services often remain busy.

The Weekend Plan Is Set

Pakistan’s moon-sighting system remains central to its religious calendar. Officials are likely to keep emphasizing verification standards. That approach may reduce confusion but can also create different Eid dates from neighboring states.

For the public, the immediate outlook is clear:

• Friday: Final day of Ramadan for most people in Pakistan.
• Saturday: Eid ul Fitr prayers and celebrations nationwide.

In the longer term, debates may continue over sighting methods. Some stakeholders prefer calculations. Others prefer local testimonies. For now, the committee’s decision sets the country’s schedule.