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 if the moon is sighted and the new Islamic year begins on that day.
Astronomical experts have also predicted that Muharram ul Haram 2026 will likely start in Pakistan on Wednesday, June 17.
They said that the new moon is not expected to be visible anywhere in the country on the evening of June 15.
Muharram 2026
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.
Other Section 144 restrictions will remain in place throughout the first ten days of Muharram.
Authorities have also completed strict security arrangements at all imambargahs in the twin cities.
Vehicles and motorcycles will not be allowed on roads and streets around these places. CCTV cameras have also been installed to improve security and monitor the surrounding areas.
When will Muharram 2026 moon be sighted in Pakistan?
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 department, 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.
