Will Pakistan complete 30 days of Ramadan? Met Office forecasts

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan’s Meteorological Department said on Tuesday there was no likelihood of sighting the Shawwal moon on the 29th of Ramadan this year, indicating that the holy month is expected to complete 30 days.

In a statement, the department said the new moon will be born on March 19 at 6:23 am, but at sunset that day its age will be between 12 and 13 hours, making visibility unlikely.

It said that there is “no chance” of moon sighting on the evening of March 19, corresponding to the 29th of Ramadan, due to the moon’s young age and unfavourable visibility conditions.

Based on astronomical calculations, Eidul-Fitr is likely to fall on Saturday, March 21, the Met Office said.

However, it noted that the final announcement on moon sighting rests with the Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which is responsible for officially declaring the start and end of Islamic months in the country.