Pakistanis will likely have to wait an extra day for the start of Muharram-ul-Haram 1448 Hijri, as the new moon is not expected to be visible on Sunday, 15 June 2026, the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council has predicted.
According to Secretary General Khalid Ijaz Mufti, the new moon will be born at 7:54 AM PST on 15 June. However, by sunset that evening, the moon’s age across Pakistan will be less than 12 hours.
For a crescent to be sighted, it generally needs to be at least 18 hours old. The time gap between sunset and moonset will also be very short. In Karachi, it will be just 37 minutes, while in Peshawar, it will be around 42 minutes. Khalid Ijaz Mufti said that due to the moon’s low age, sighting it with the naked eye, telescope, or even binoculars will not be possible on the evening of 15 June, regardless of weather conditions.
Based on this calculation, Zulhijjah 1447 AH will complete 30 days. As a result, 1st Muharram 1448 AH is expected to fall on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, would then be observed on Friday, 26 June 2026. The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council stressed that its forecast is based on astronomical calculations only.
The official and final announcement for the start of Muharram will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after receiving and verifying moon-sighting reports from across the country. Citizens have been advised to follow the committee’s official declaration for religious observances.
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