When is Ramadan moon expected to appear in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: As the Holy month of Ramadan is nearing, believers on Thursday began searching for the expected date on which the Ramadan moon would appear.

The month of fasting is predicted to continue for 30 days, beginning on Wednesday (February 18), concluding around Thursday, March 19, 2026, with Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations expected on Friday, March 20, 2026.

Religious authorities have emphasised that these dates are tentative and the official start and end of Ramadan will depend on the sighting of the new moon by the Ruet‑e‑Hilal Committee. The committee will announce confirmation closer to the dates, ensuring alignment with Islamic tradition.

The premier, Shehbaz Sharif, has instructed that disbursement should be delivered via digital wallets for Ramadan 2026. The instructions from the premier came after chairing a review meeting on the federal government’s proposed Ramadan package, where he examined the third-party validation of last year’s program.
During the review meeting held in the first week of January, he also praised the report from a globally reputed audit firm, which confirmed that last year’s package was both transparent and effective, with no financial irregularities or major administrative lapses identified.