The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that people are unlikely to see the Shawwal moon on March 19, which means Eid ul Fitr 2026 will most likely be celebrated on March 21 across Pakistan.
According to the Met Office, the chances of sighting the Shawwal crescent are strong on March 20. If people sight the moon that evening, the country will celebrate Eid ul Fitr 2026 on Saturday, March 21. However, the final decision will come from the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
If the moon is not sighted on March 19 as predicted, Muslims in Pakistan will complete 30 days of fasting in Eid ul Fitr 2026 season. This would make March 21 the expected date for Eid ul Fitr 2026 in the country.
Eid ul Fitr 2026
Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department had also correctly predicted the visibility of the Ramadan moon. Before the start of the holy month, the department said there were good chances of sighting the crescent in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially in Peshawar, because the plains were expected to have clear skies.
The Ramadan moon was eventually sighted on February 18, the 29th of Shaban. After the announcement by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Muslims in Pakistan observed their first fast on February 19, starting the countdown toward Eid ul Fitr 2026.
Islamic months usually last 29 or 30 days, and people determine their start and end by sighting the crescent moon. Because the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, Eid ul Fitr 2026 and other Islamic events shift about 10 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.
As the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan moves every year, which means the date of Eid ul Fitr 2026 also depends on the moon sighting announced by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
Also Read, Fresh currency notes sold at premium in markets ahead of Eid ul Fitr
