ISLAMABAD: The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee announced on Wednesday that the crescent for Ramadan has been sighted, and the holy month will begin across Pakistan on Thursday, February 19.
Committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad made the announcement after a meeting held in Peshawar to review moon sighting reports from across the country.
According to reports, the crescent was also sighted in Bangladesh, with the first day of fasting there to be observed on Thursday. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan began fasting on Wednesday after confirming the moon sighting on Tuesday night.
Earlier this month, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) had projected that the first of Ramadan was likely to fall on February 19 based on astronomical calculations.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a Rs38 billion Ramadan Relief Package aimed at supporting 12.1 million deserving families across the four provinces, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Under the package, each eligible family will receive Rs13,000 through a digital wallet or direct bank transfer, with the prime minister stating that assistance will be provided without discrimination.