ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s central moon sighting committee has announced that the Ramadan moon has been sighted in the country and the first fast of the holy month will be observed on Thursday. 

Pakistan’s Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) determines the dates for new Islamic months and Eid festivals by sighting the moon every year. Committee members announce the dates for the Islamic months after visually observing the crescent and receiving testimonies of its sighting from several parts of the country.

Speaking to reporters after the RHC’s meeting in Peshawar, the committee’s chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad said testimonies of the moon sighting were received from several parts of the country, including Quetta, Islamabad, Waziristan, Dir, Karachi, Buner, Mardan and Tando Allahyar. 

“Therefore, it was decided with consensus that the first day of Ramadan would be on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026,” Azad said in a televised press conference.

Pakistan’s national space agency announced last week that the Ramadan crescent is likely to be visible in the country on Feb. 18 and consequently, the first date of Ramadan is likely to be on Feb. 19.

Muslims fast from dawn till sunset during Ramadan. This is followed by Eid Al Fitr, a religious holiday and celebration to mark the end of Ramadan which is observed by Muslims worldwide.