The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Wednesday that the Ramadan moon has been sighted, confirming that the first day of Ramadan will be observed across Pakistan on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The committee convened in Peshawar under the chairmanship of Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad to assess moon sighting testimonies received from various parts of the country. After reviewing verified reports, the announcement was made officially, bringing clarity to millions of citizens preparing for the holy month.

Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committees also held parallel meetings at their respective regional headquarters to examine local evidence before forwarding confirmations to the central body.

With the moon sighted, mosques across the country will begin special Taraweeh prayers from Wednesday night, marking the spiritual start of the fasting month. Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time of fasting, reflection, charity, and community.

The confirmation sets the stage for nationwide preparations, including adjusted working hours, special Ramadan transmission programming, and government arrangements to facilitate worshippers and ensure price stability during the holy month.