As the holy month of Ramadan nears its end, preparations for Eid ul Fitr are rapidly intensifying across Pakistan. Amidst this backdrop, a concerned citizen has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) with a petition seeking judicial intervention to ensure an early announcement of the Shawwal moon sighting. The petitioner, Abdullah Shafiq, has requested the court to instruct the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to declare the moon sighting promptly, aiming to facilitate smoother religious observances and public arrangements.
The petition has been scheduled for hearing before IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar on Wednesday. In his plea, Shafiq highlighted the difficulties faced by the public due to delays in the official moon sighting announcement. He pointed out that the uncertainty often results in people continuing congregational taraweeh prayers longer than necessary, which disrupts their Eid preparations and daily routines. Moreover, the late declaration triggers a sudden surge of activity in markets and commercial hubs, creating chaos and logistical challenges for both shoppers and vendors.
Expanding on these concerns, the petitioner urged the court to direct authorities to implement measures that would prevent any potential law and order issues arising from the last-minute rush. He also proposed that markets should remain closed on the eve of Eid, except for specific outlets designated for Eid shopping, to avoid overcrowding and maintain public safety. This request reflects growing anxieties about managing crowds and ensuring smooth commerce during one of the busiest festive periods in the country.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has provided its astronomical forecast regarding the timing of Eid this year. Suparco, Eid ul Fitr is expected to fall on March 21, 2026, following a complete 30-day observance of Ramadan. The commission stated that the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH is predicted to be born on March 19 at 06:23 PST. However, at sunset on the same day, the moon’s age will be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes, with only a 28-minute gap between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal regions.
Based on these calculations, Suparco assessed that the likelihood of sighting the Shawwal crescent on the evening of March 19 is quite low. Consequently, the first day of Shawwal, marking Eid ul Fitr, is anticipated to be observed on Saturday, March 21. Despite these scientific projections, the final decision on the moon sighting and the official start of Eid rests with the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which traditionally relies on both astronomical data and actual visual confirmation from moon sighting teams across the country.
It is worth noting that the timing of the moon sighting announcement has significant implications not only for religious observance but also for economic activity and social order. Early confirmation can help families plan their celebrations, reduce last-minute market congestion, and allow authorities to better manage public safety. As the hearing approaches, all eyes will be on the Islamabad High Court to see whether it will issue directives that could influence how Eid ul Fitr is observed nationwide this year.
