The decision to celebrate a unified Eid-ul-Fitr across Pakistan has been met with widespread public approval, as the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee officially announced that the festival will be celebrated nationwide on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
This move effectively ends years of regional discrepancies and ensures the entire country observes the religious festival on the same day.
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, met in Islamabad on Thursday, March 19. After reviewing testimonies from across the country including the Zonal Committee in Peshawar it was determined that no credible sightings of the Shawwal moon occurred.
As a result, the month of Ramadan will complete a full 30-day cycle, with the 1st of Shawwal falling on Saturday.
This year, the decision aligns Pakistan with neighboring countries like India and Indonesia, further strengthening the sense of a collective regional celebration.
The federal government has structured the holiday calendar to provide a significant break for citizens, facilitating travel and family gatherings:
As March 22 (Sunday): Regular weekly holiday. Pakistan Day, resulting in a continuous four-day long weekend for the majority of the workforce.
Citizens have hailed the “One Eid” decision as a relief from the confusion caused by multiple moon-sighting announcements in the past. The move is seen as a step toward national harmony and better planning for families traveling to their hometowns.
To support the celebrations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the early release of March salaries and pensions for federal employees and retirees. Additionally, a “PM Eid Gift Program” was initiated to provide financial assistance to low-income families facing inflation.
Pakistan Railways is operating four special “Eid Trains” between major cities like Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar to manage the surge in passenger traffic.
Leaves for transport department officers have been cancelled to regulate fares and prevent overcharging by private transporters during the holiday rush.
Read also:Moon not sighted: Muslims in South Asian countries to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday
