The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a public holiday on the first day of Muharram, the initial month of the Islamic lunar calendar, as the moon-sighting committee convenes today. This decision was formalized through an official notification on Monday, confirming that all government offices and public institutions throughout the province will remain closed on this occasion.
However, the exact date of the holiday will be finalized based on the verdict of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which is set to meet later on Monday in Lahore to determine the commencement of the new Islamic year, 1448 AH. This significant gathering will take place at the historic Badshahi Mosque and will be led by Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad. The meeting will include religious scholars as well as officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
In a notable development, technical experts from the Pakistan Meteorological Department and the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) will present scientific assessments during the session. Meteorologists have indicated that, given the current astronomical age of the moon, the likelihood of sighting it on Monday evening is low. Consequently, it is highly probable that the Islamic New Year and the related public holiday will be observed on Wednesday, June 17.
