LAHORE: SUPARCO has issued its scientific prediction for the sighting of the new moon marking Ramadan 1447 Hijri.
According to SUPARCO, the new moon will be born on February 17, 2026, at 5:01 PM Pakistan Standard Time, with its age at sunset on February 18 estimated at approximately 25 hours and 48 minutes.
Coastal areas are expected to have a gap of around 59 minutes between sunset and moonset, improving visibility conditions.
Based on astronomical data, the new moon is likely to be visible to the naked eye on the evening of February 18, suggesting that the first day of Ramadan may fall on February 19, 2026.
The official announcement of the month’s beginning will, however, be made by the Central Ru’yat-e-Hilal Committee Pakistan, which will consider verified moon sighting reports from across the country.
A key meeting of the committee has been scheduled for February 18 in Peshawar, chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad.
The session will include central and zonal committee members, along with officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, SUPARCO, Pakistan Meteorological Department, and the Ministry of Science & Technology.
