Peshawar, February 18, 2026: The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee on Wednesday announced that the Ramazan crescent had been sighted, confirming that the holy month will begin in Pakistan on Thursday (February 19).
The announcement was made by committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad following a meeting held in Peshawar to review moon sighting testimonies from across the country.
Addressing the media, Azad said weather conditions varied, with clear skies in some areas and cloudy conditions in others. He added that credible testimonies were received from multiple locations, including Quetta, Islamabad, Waziristan, Dir, Karachi, Buner, Mardan and Tando Allahyar.
“After reviewing the evidence, it was unanimously decided that the first day of Ramazan will be observed on Thursday,” he said.
Meanwhile, regional media reported moon sightings in neighboring countries. According to Bangladesh’s Daily Star, the crescent was sighted in Bangladesh, while India’s The Hindu reported similar sightings in India. Several Middle Eastern countries — including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan — began fasting on Wednesday after the moon was sighted on Tuesday night.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended heartfelt greetings to the nation and Muslims worldwide on the commencement of Ramazan. In a message carried by state-run media, he described the holy month as a divine blessing and an opportunity to renew values of devotion, humility, righteousness and spiritual purification.
“Fasting is not merely the observance of a religious obligation; it is practical training in patience, discipline and a sense of responsibility in our daily lives,” the prime minister said. He added that the government had launched a Ramazan Package aimed at providing maximum support to vulnerable segments of society through dignified and transparent means, including digital wallets.
President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed greetings to the nation and the Muslim Ummah, describing Ramazan as a month of mercy, forgiveness and salvation. He said that amid Pakistan’s social and economic challenges, the holy month carried a message of hope, patience and collective solidarity, and urged citizens to prioritize national and collective welfare over personal interests.
In a message posted on X, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, congratulated Muslims around the world on the arrival of Ramazan. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also extended his felicitations and appealed to the public to demonstrate patience, avoid hoarding and profiteering, and ensure the availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices.
Earlier this month, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) had predicted, based on the moon’s expected age, that the first day of Ramazan was likely to fall on February 19.
It is pertinent to note that the prime minister has announced a Rs38 billion Ramazan Relief Package for 12.1 million deserving families across the four provinces as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Under the initiative, each eligible family will receive Rs13,000 through a digital wallet or bank transfer, with assurances that the assistance will be provided without discrimination.
