KARACHI – As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has released a new astronomical forecast regarding the sighting of the moon for 2026.
Expected Date for 1st Ramadan
According to the PMD, the first fast of Ramadan is likely to fall on Thursday, February 19, 2026. This prediction is based on the high probability of the moon being sighted on the evening of February 18. The new moon is expected to be born on February 17 at 5:01 PM. By the evening of February 18, the moon will be of sufficient age and the atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for a clear sighting across various parts of Pakistan.
Visibility in Karachi
For residents of Karachi, the PMD has provided specific technical data for February 18. On this day, the moon will be approximately 26 hours old. With the sun expected to set at 6:25 PM and the moon at 7:24 PM, the crescent will remain on the horizon for nearly an hour, providing an ideal window for sighting.
Official Announcement
While astronomical data strongly points toward February 19, the PMD emphasized that the final and official announcement will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after their formal meeting and physical moon sightings.
