Web desk: The holy month of Ramazan is expected to complete 30 days this year, as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has indicated that the Shawwal moon is unlikely to be visible on March 19, which marks the 29th of Ramazan.
According to the Met Office, the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH will be born at 6:23am on March 19. However, by the time moon sighting observations are conducted at meteorological observatories later that evening, the moon’s age is projected to be only 12 to 13 hours a duration considered insufficient and unfavourable for visibility.
The PMD clearly stated, “As per astronomical analysis, there is no chance of sighting the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH on the evening of March 19.” The assessment is based purely on scientific and astronomical calculations.
Despite this prediction, the official announcement regarding the sighting of the Shawwal moon will be made by the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, which holds the final authority on declaring the end of Ramazan and the beginning of Eidul Fitr in Pakistan.
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