Pakistan will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr tomorrow (Monday, March 31, 2025) after the Shawwal 1446 moon was sighted in various parts of the country, including Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad. The announcement was made by Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, during a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday.
Addressing the media, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad confirmed that credible moon sighting testimonies were received from multiple locations nationwide. “The Shawwal moon has been sighted, and Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated across the country tomorrow,” he stated. The moon sighting meeting, held in Islamabad under his chairmanship, included officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Meteorological Department, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), who provided technical assistance.
Reports indicated that the sky remained clear in Islamabad and surrounding areas, facilitating easy visibility of the moon. The moon was first spotted in Lahore shortly after the Maghrib Azaan on Sunday. Earlier, the Meteorological Department had predicted clear skies in most parts of the country, including Karachi, increasing the chances of moon sighting. According to SUPARCO, the new moon of Shawwal was formed on March 29 at 3:58 PM (Pakistan time), and by sunset on March 30, the moon’s age was approximately 27 hours, making it visible throughout Pakistan.
Simultaneously, zonal moon sighting committee meetings were conducted in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta to verify testimonies. With the official confirmation of the Shawwal moon sighting, nationwide preparations for Eid-ul-Fitr are in full swing as families and communities gear up to celebrate the joyous occasion tomorrow. The government had already announced a three and four-day holiday for offices observing five and six working days a week, respectively.
It may be noted that Saudi Arabia and the UAE declared the sighting of the crescent moon on March 29, marking the first day of Shawwal and the official start of Eid celebrations. Similarly, other Middle Eastern countries like Kuwait, Qatar, and Iran also announced Eid on Sunday, March 30. However, in several other countries, including Oman, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Australia, the Shawwal moon was not sighted on the evening of March 29, leading to Eid being observed on Monday, March 31, 2025. For example, the National Moon Sighting Committee of Bangladesh confirmed that the crescent moon was not visible, making Sunday, March 30, the final day of Ramadan.
Also read: Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 expected on March 31, says SUPARCO
