The meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to sight the Ramadan moon has begun in Peshawar.

The session is being chaired by the committee’s chairman, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, who expressed hope that, God willing, the holy month of Ramadan will begin simultaneously across the country this year as well.

According to a spokesperson for SUPARCO, the new moon was born on February 17, 2026, at 5:01 pm. At the time of sunset today, the moon’s age will be 25 hours and 48 minutes, increasing the chances of visibility with the naked eye. However, the final announcement regarding the sighting will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.

The Meteorological Department stated that the moon will rise at 5:54 pm and remain visible until 6:52 pm. Due to cloudy conditions in Lahore and surrounding areas, moon sighting chances there are relatively low.

In contrast, clear skies in Peshawar may improve the likelihood of sighting the Ramadan crescent, officials added.