Overview
- Pakistan Meteorological Department Director General Sahibzad Khan says the moon is likely to be visible on Feb. 18 with the first fast expected on Feb. 19.
- PMD calculations place the new moon (conjunction) on Feb. 17 at 5:01 p.m., making sighting the following evening plausible.
- Meteorological experts expect partly cloudy or clear skies in most areas on Feb. 18, which would aid visibility.
- The department released provincial cut-off times for sighting efforts: Sindh 7:24 p.m., Punjab 7:08 p.m., and Balochistan 7:47 p.m.
- The start of Ramadan will be finalized only after the Central Ru'yat Hilal Committee validates testimonies and makes a formal announcement.