The meeting of Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to sight the crescent moon of Zil Hajj began on Sunday at the Pakistan Meteorological Department headquarters in Karachi.
At the same time, zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meetings were also held at their respective regional headquarters across the country.
If the Zil Hajj moon is sighted today, Eid ul Adha will be observed in Pakistan on May 27. In case the moon is not sighted, the festival will fall on May 28.
Earlier, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission forecast that the crescent moon was likely to be visible on May 17 based on astronomical calculations.
According to Suparco, the new moon would be around 18 hours and 30 minutes old at sunset, creating favourable conditions for visibility in several parts of the country.
The agency said the moon was expected to be born at 1:01am on Sunday, while atmospheric and weather conditions were also considered suitable for sighting.
Suparco further noted that coastal areas were expected to experience a gap of nearly 60 minutes between sunset and moonset, increasing the chances of visibility.
Based on these projections, the first of Zil Hajj is expected to fall on Monday, May 18, with Eid ul Adha likely on May 27. However, the final announcement regarding the moon sighting will be made officially by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.