SUPARCO Predicts Eid ul Fitr 2026 Date for Pakistan

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has projected that Eid ul Fitr 2026 in Pakistan is likely to fall on Saturday, March 21, based on astronomical calculations of the Shawwal moon.

According to SUPARCO, the Shawwal moon will be born on March 19 at 6:23 a.m., and by sunset on the same day, the moon’s age will be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes. The space agency noted that along Pakistan’s coastal areas, the time difference between sunset and moonset on March 19 is expected to be around 28 minutes. However, SUPARCO added that “the chances of sighting the Shawwal crescent that evening are considered low.”

Based on these calculations, the agency anticipates that the first day of Shawwal 1447 AH will likely fall on March 21, 2026, marking the observance of Eid ul Fitr in Pakistan. SUPARCO emphasized that the final confirmation of the moon sighting will be announced by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which is responsible for officially declaring the start of Islamic months in the country.

Meanwhile, in Kuwait, the Al-Ujairi Scientific Center has indicated that the crescent of Shawwal will not be visible on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2026, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan 1447 AH. The center explained that “precise calculations and global astronomical maps prepared by its specialists show the moon will set before sunset over Kuwait and most other countries on that day, making crescent sighting astronomically impossible.”

The center noted that the new moon conjunction will occur at around 4:23 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, Kuwait time, which falls after sunset on the observation day. Based on this, Ramadan is expected to complete 30 days, with Thursday, March 19, likely being the last day of the holy month, and Friday, March 20, 2026, marking the first day of Eid ul Fitr. The center also stressed that the official declaration of the beginning of Hijri months is made by the competent authorities in accordance with approved Sharia sighting procedures.