ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will begin observing the holy month of Ramadan from Feb. 19 after the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced the sighting of the crescent moon on Wednesday evening.
Earlier in the day, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee met in Peshawar for the Ramadan moon sighting under the chairmanship of Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, according to Radio Pakistan.
The central committee convened at 4:30 p.m. at the Auqaf Hall, while zonal committees met in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Islamabad.
A day earlier, the Ramadan crescent was sighted in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait, where residents began observing their first fast on Wednesday. Several other countries reported no moon sighting.
Muslims worldwide welcome Ramadan with deep religious devotion, as over a billion believers fast to practise patience, self-discipline and generosity.
Islamic months last 29 or 30 days, with their beginning and end determined by the sighting of the crescent moon. As a result, Ramadan does not fall on the same Gregorian date each year.
Ramzan Relief Package
At the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a review meeting was convened to assess implementation arrangements and administrative preparedness for the Ramzan Relief Package 2026, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the National Database and Registration Authority, the State Bank of Pakistan, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Benazir Income Support Programme, the National Telecommunication Corporation, the Press Information Department, and participating banks. The meeting announced the immediate commencement of crediting Ramzan relief funds.
Minister Syed Imran Ahmad Shah directed the State Bank of Pakistan to ensure full operational availability of banks on the first day of Ramzan, so that beneficiaries receive assistance without interruption, as per the statement.
The minister also directed that all pending beneficiary bank accounts be opened on a priority basis, the statement added.
