Pakistan will celebrate Eid ul Fitr on Saturday, March 21, 2026, after the Shawwal moon was not sighted in the country.
The announcement was made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which met in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad to observe the crescent moon. After reviewing reports from across the country, the committee confirmed that no credible moon sighting was received.
As a result, Ramadan will complete 30 days and Eid ul Fitr will be observed on Saturday. The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is the official body responsible for announcing Islamic months in Pakistan, based on verified moon sighting testimonies from different regions.
Earlier, astronomical forecasts by the Pakistan Meteorological Department and SUPARCO had also indicated that the chances of moon sighting on March 19 were very low, making March 21 the likely date for Eid.
Regional Countries Also Set for Saturday Eid
Several countries in South and Southeast Asia are also expected to celebrate Eid on Saturday, March 21, due to similar moon sighting conditions.
India has confirmed Eid on March 21 after the crescent moon was not sighted.
Bangladesh is also likely to mark Eid on Saturday following the completion of 30 days of Ramadan, while Indonesia and Malaysia are expected to observe the festival on the same day based on local moon sighting and astronomical calculations.
These countries traditionally announce Eid based on local moon visibility, which often results in a one-day difference compared to Gulf nations.
Moon Sighting Tradition Remains Key
Eid ul Fitr marks the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on lunar cycles. The festival is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, making local observations crucial in deciding the exact date.
With Pakistan and several regional countries aligning on Saturday, millions of Muslims will celebrate the end of Ramadan together with Eid prayers, family gatherings, and festive traditions.
