As the holy month of Ramadan nears its end, preparations for Eid ul Fitr are rapidly intensifying across Pakistan. Amid this growing anticipation, a concerned citizen has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) with a plea urging the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to announce the sighting of the Shawwal moon at an earlier time than usual. This move aims to provide clarity and prevent last-minute confusion surrounding the Eid celebrations.
The petition was filed by Abdullah Shafiq, who has requested the court to issue directives compelling the moon sighting authorities to expedite their announcement. The case has been scheduled for hearing before IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar on Wednesday. Shafiq highlighted in his plea that the delay in confirming the Shawwal moon sighting often results in people performing congregational taraweeh prayers late into the night, causing inconvenience and disruption.
Furthermore, the petitioner pointed out that the late declaration of Eid leads to a sudden surge of shoppers flooding markets and commercial centers, creating chaotic scenes and increasing the risk of law and order issues. To mitigate such problems, Shafiq has urged the court to instruct authorities to implement measures that would maintain public order during this critical period. He also recommended that markets remain closed on the eve of Eid, except for designated outlets specifically catering to Eid shopping, to better manage crowd control and ensure safety.
In a related development, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has provided its astronomical forecast for the Shawwal moon this year. Suparco has indicated that Eid ul Fitr is expected to fall on March 21, 2026, following a complete 30-day Ramadan. their calculations, the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH will be born on March 19 at 06:23 PST.
Suparco further explained that at sunset on March 19, the new moon will be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes old, with only a 28-minute interval between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal regions. These parameters suggest that the likelihood of sighting the Shawwal crescent on the evening of March 19 is quite low. Consequently, the first day of Shawwal, which marks Eid ul Fitr, is anticipated to be observed on Saturday, March 21.
It is important to note that despite these scientific predictions, the final decision regarding the moon sighting and the official announcement of Eid remains the responsibility of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. This committee’s verdict will ultimately determine the exact date for Eid celebrations across Pakistan, ensuring that religious traditions are upheld in accordance with Islamic jurisprudence.
Meanwhile, the public and traders alike await the court’s decision on the petition, hoping for a timely announcement that will allow for smoother Eid preparations and prevent the usual last-minute rush. The plea underscores the growing need for balancing religious observance with practical considerations in modern-day Pakistan.
