ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has announced that the chances of observing the moon for Muharram-ul-Haram 1448 AH on June 15 are minimal. According to their analysis, the interval between the moon’s birth and sunset will be too short to allow for its visibility.
In an official statement issued today, the PMD explained that while weather conditions are expected to be clear in many parts of Pakistan, the new moon is predicted to be born at 7:54 am on June 15. As a result, it will not be visible to observers before sunset on Zil Hajj 29.
The department also shared moonset timings for various regions: in Punjab, the moon is expected to set at 7:59 pm; in Sindh, at 8:55 pm; in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, at 8:23 pm; and in Balochistan, at 8:34 pm. In Gilgit-Baltistan, the moon will set at 8:00 pm, whereas in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, it will be visible until 8:07 pm.
The official decision regarding the official start of Muharram will be taken by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee once they receive evidence from different parts of the country.
In related security developments, the Punjab Home Department has approached the Ministry of Interior to request deployment of Pakistan Army and Rangers personnel across Punjab for Muharram security arrangements. This request follows a recommendation by Punjab Police to ensure law and order during the holy month.
The department has also sought assistance from 137 security companies across 39 districts in Punjab to bolster security measures and facilitate peaceful observance of Muharram.
