The moon for Muharram 2026 has not been sighted in Pakistan today, the Ruet e Hilal Committee announced on Monday. This means that the first day of Muharram 2026 will likely fall on Wednesday, June 17.
In addition to this, Youm e Ashoor will be observed on Friday, June 26, 2026.
The Central Ruet e Hilal Committee met in Lahore today for sighting the Muharram ul Haram 2026 or 1448 Hijri moon. The chairman of the Committee, Moulana Abdul Khabir Azad, presided over the meeting.
The meetings of Zonal and District Ruet e Hilal Committees were also held simultaneously, according to the reports, at their respective headquarters.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) previously forecast that there are very low chances of sighting the Muharram ul Haram 2026 1448 Hijri moon in Pakistan on June 15.
According to the previous reports, the new moon will be born on June 15 at 7:54 AM. However, it said that the chances of sighting the crescent moon across the country on the same evening are almost negligible on June 15.
KP govt announces public holiday
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced a public holiday across the province on the 1st of Muharram ul Haram 2026, or 1448 AH, on Monday. A notification has also been issued in this regard.
The holiday will depend on the official moon sighting by the Central Ruet e Hilal Committee.
According to a notification issued by the provincial administration department, the 1st of Muharram will be observed as a public holiday throughout KP. This is, if the moon is sighted and the new Islamic year begins on that day.
In addition to this, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province from Muharram 1 to Muharram 10.
The step has been taken in order to maintain peace and ensure public safety during the religious period.
Under these restrictions, pillion riding will be banned on Muharram 9 and 10. However, senior citizens, women, Rescue 1122 staff and law enforcement personnel will be exempt from the ban.
