Ramazan begins across Pakistan as crescent moon sighted

• Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad confirms first fast will be observed tomorrow

 PESHAWAR: The crescent of the holy month Ramazan, 1447 Hijri, has been sighted in various cities across Pakistan, and the first fast will be observed nationwide on Thursday (tomorrow).

Announcing the moon sighting, Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad confirmed that the first fast will be observed tomorrow (Thursday), while the first Taraweeh prayers will be offered tonight (Wednesday night).

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Azad said weather conditions varied across the country, with clear skies in some areas and cloudy conditions in others.

He stated that moon-sighting testimonies were received from multiple locations, including Quetta, Islamabad, Waziristan, Dir, Karachi, Buner, Mardan and Tando Allahyar.

“After reviewing the evidence, the committee unanimously decided that the first day of Ramadan will fall on Thursday,” he said.

Earlier, meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to sight the Ramazan moon was held in Peshawar, with Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad in the chair.

The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meeting took place at the Auqaf Hall on Charsadda Road, while zonal committee meetings were held in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Quetta.

Members of the committee, along with representatives from the Meteorological Department, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), and the Ministry of Science and Technology, attended the central meeting.

Meanwhile, a separate meeting of the unofficial Ruet-e-Hilal Committee was also held at Masjid Qasim Ali Khan, chaired by Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai.

The Ramazan moon has also been sighted in Bangladesh and India, where the first fast will be observed tomorrow (Thursday), while Gulf States, including Saudi Arabia and UAE observed the first fast on Wednesday.