KARACHI: The Ruyat-e-Hilal Research Council has indicated that the moon marking the start of Shaban-ul-Muazzam is not expected to be sighted in Pakistan on the evening of Monday, January 19, 2026, due to unfavorable astronomical factors.
As a result, the council anticipates that Shaban 1447 Hijri will commence on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, following the completion of 30 days of Rajab-ul-Murajjab.
Khalid Ijaz Mufti, Secretary General of the council, stated that the new moon will be formed at 12:52am Pakistan Standard Time during the night between January 18 and 19.
However, by sunset on January 19, the moon’s age throughout the country will remain under 18 hours, while at least 19 hours are typically required for visibility.
He further noted that the interval between sunset and moonset will also be insufficient.
This duration is expected to be around 29 minutes in Gilgit and Muzaffarabad, 30 minutes in Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, and Charsadda, 31 minutes in Quetta, and approximately 33 minutes in Karachi and Jiwani. Astronomers generally require a minimum gap of 40 minutes for the crescent to be observable.
Given these conditions, the council maintained that the moon will not be visible on January 19, even with the aid of optical instruments, regardless of clear skies.
The council emphasized that the final and official decision regarding the beginning of Shaban will be announced by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, following established religious guidelines.
