Pakistan Meteorological Department Forecasts No Sighting of Muharram Crescent on June 15
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued its forecast regarding the sighting of the Muharram-ul-Haram 1448 AH crescent, stating that the chances of moon visibility on June 15 are extremely low.
According to the PMD, the new moon will be born on June 15 at 7:54 AM (Pakistan Standard Time). The department said that due to the moon’s age and position, it is highly unlikely to be sighted anywhere in the country on the evening of June 15.
The meteorological office further stated that on 29 Dhul-Hijjah (June 15), the moon will not be visible across most regions of Pakistan. Weather conditions are expected to remain generally clear or partly cloudy in many areas.
Region-wise details indicate that in Punjab, the moon will set at 7:59 PM, while in Sindh it will set at 8:05 PM. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the moonset time is 8:07 PM, whereas in Gilgit-Baltistan it is expected at 8:12 PM. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the moon will set at 8:23 PM, and in Balochistan at 8:34 PM.
Earlier, the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council also issued a similar forecast regarding the sighting of the Muharram crescent. According to its Secretary General Khalid Ijaz Mufti, the new moon will be born on June 15, 2026, at 7:54 AM local time.
He noted that by sunset on the same day, the age of the moon will be less than 12 hours across Pakistan, whereas a minimum lunar age of around 18 hours is generally required for crescent visibility.
He further explained that the time difference between sunset and moonset is also an important factor. On June 15, this gap will be 37 minutes in Karachi and 42 minutes in Peshawar; however, the low age of the moon makes visibility impossible even with optical instruments.
The Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council stated that after completion of 30 days of Zilhaj, the first day of Muharram 1448 AH is expected to fall on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. However, it clarified that the final and official announcement regarding the Islamic New Year will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
