Ruet-e-Hilal Meets Today as Pakistan Awaits Ramadan Moon
News Desk
Islamabad: As Pakistan awaits the sighting of the Ramadan crescent, authorities have moved beyond tradition to ensure administrative, financial and utility arrangements are firmly in place ahead of the holy month.
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, headed by Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, is set to meet in Peshawar today for the Ramadan 1447 Hijri moon sighting. The central body will convene at 4:30pm at Auqaf Hall, while zonal committees will simultaneously hold meetings in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Islamabad.
Speaking on Geo Pakistan, Maulana Azad expressed optimism that the country would once again begin Ramadan on the same day nationwide, as has been the case in recent years.
He added that technical support from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) would assist the committee in verifying moon sighting reports.
Suparco has forecast a strong likelihood of crescent visibility this evening, estimating the moon’s age at approximately 25 hours and 48 minutes at sunset on February 18.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/crescent-sighting-meeting-to-decide-start-of-ramadan-on-feb-18/
In coastal regions, the gap between sunset and moonset is expected to be around 59 minutes — conditions considered favourable for naked-eye sighting. If confirmed, February 19 will mark the first day of fasting in Pakistan.
The moon has already been sighted in Saudi Arabia and several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait, where worshippers have begun observing Ramadan. However, several other countries across Central and Southeast Asia reported no sighting on Tuesday.
Beyond the religious observance, the government has unveiled a Rs38 billion Ramadan relief package aimed at supporting more than 12 million families through digital cash transfers. Each beneficiary household will receive Rs13,000 to help manage rising expenses during the holy month.
In parallel, the Power Division has directed all electricity distribution companies (Discos), including K-Electric, to ensure uninterrupted power supply during Sehr and Iftar hours. Authorities have instructed companies to respond promptly to consumer complaints and strictly avoid unannounced load-shedding.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, shifts each year in the Gregorian calendar due to its shorter lunar cycle. Marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, the month is observed by over a billion Muslims worldwide as a period of reflection, discipline and charity.
With spiritual anticipation building, administrative preparations signal the state’s effort to facilitate both religious observance and public convenience during the sacred month.
