First Ramadan in Pakistan likely on Sunday, March 2

ISLAMABAD: As Muslims anxiously await the beginning of fasting month, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) expects that first Ramadan would fall in Pakistan on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

According to a SUPARCO spokesperson, the moon for Ramadan 2025 will be born on February 28 at 5:45 PM.

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However, its age at sunset will be only 12 hours, with a low altitude of five degrees, making it difficult to sight with the naked eye. 

He said that due to the moon’s low altitude and angular distance of just seven degrees from the sun, it will not be visible to the human eye in Pakistan on February 28. 

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However, the crescent may be sighted in Saudi Arabia, where Ramadan is expected to begin on March 1. Given this, Pakistan is likely to observe first Ramadan on March 2. 

Ruet-e-Hilal meets on February 28

The final decision regarding moon sighting will be made by Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which is meeting on February 28 to determine the beginning of Ramadan 1446 Hijri.

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Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committees will also hold separate meetings in their respective regions, but the final decision will rest with the central body.

School timings for Ramadan

Revised school timings have been announced for private and public schools of Punjab and Sindh for the holy month of Ramadan.

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According to the notification issued by the Punjab Schools education department, from Monday to Thursday the schools will open from 8:30 am and would close at 1:00 pm. On Fridays, the schools will close at 12:30 pm.

Eid-ul-Fitr likely on March 31

As for Eid-ul-Fitr, SUPARCO predicts that the Shawwal moon is expected to be sighted on March 30, with Eid falling on March 31 in most regions. 

Fasting duration between 13 to 14 hours

In Pakistan, fasting duration will be about 13 hours, starting from Fajr time and ending by Maghrib or sunset.

According to Islamic prayer times by Google, Sehri time in Islamabad on First Ramadan would end on 5:13 am, while Iftar would held on 18:05 pm.

In Arab and Middle Eastern countries, fasting hours will vary.

Initially, fasts in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait will last around 13 hours, gradually increasing to 14 hours as the month progresses.