As the holy month of Ramadan nears its end, a legal petition has been filed at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) urging authorities to announce the sighting of the Shawwal moon well in advance of Eid ul Fitr. The plea highlights public inconvenience caused by last-minute declarations.
Hearing Scheduled Before Chief Justice
The petition, submitted by citizen Abdullah Shafiq, is set for a hearing before IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar on Wednesday. The petitioner has named the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee as a respondent, seeking judicial intervention to mandate a timelier announcement process.
Grounds of the Petition
In his submission, Shafiq argues that the current delay in the official moon sighting announcement leads to several logistical and religious complications for the public.
- It causes uncertainty, leading some to perform congregational Taraweeh prayers on what could be the night of Eid.
- The late announcement triggers a sudden, overwhelming rush in markets and commercial areas as people scramble for last-minute Eid preparations.
The petitioner has requested the court to direct authorities to take preemptive measures to maintain law and order. He has also sought instructions for general markets to close, with exceptions only for designated Eid shopping outlets, to manage crowds effectively.
Scientific Forecast and Official Decision
According to the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the new moon of Shawwal is expected to be born on March 19, 2026. However, the commission stated that the chances of sighting the crescent that evening are “low” based on astronomical parameters.
Suparco’s forecast suggests that, following a 30-day Ramadan, Eid ul Fitr is likely to be celebrated on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The commission has clarified that the final decision rests with the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which will convene to make the official declaration based on moon sighting testimonies.
The petition now brings the procedural aspect of this national religious event under judicial scrutiny, seeking to align official announcements with public convenience and safety.
