The moon of the month of Shaban 1447 AH was not sighted anywhere in Pakistan, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Monday, declaring that the first of Shaban will fall on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
With the beginning of Shaban on January 21, the 15th night of Shaban (Shab-e-Barat) will fall on the evening of February 3, 2026 with faithfuls observing fast on Feb 4.
The meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee was chaired by its Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad, while meetings of zonal and regional crescent sighting committees were also held at their respective headquarters in Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and Karachi.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad said no credible evidence of moon sighting was received from any part of the country.
He said the committee carefully reviewed testimonies received from across Pakistan before unanimously reaching the decision.
He said weather conditions remained cloudy in most parts of the country, while some areas reported clear skies; however, no confirmed sighting of the Shaban moon was reported.
Officials from various departments attended the meeting, including Director Ministry of Religious Affairs Hafiz Abdul Quddus, Dr Shahid-ur-Rehman Marth, and Naseeruddin. For technical assistance, Dr Hassan Ali Baig from the Meteorological Department, Shaukatullah Khan from SUPARCO, and Joint Secretary Zainul Abidin from the Ministry of Science and Technology were also present.
Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad said special prayers were offered at the end of the meeting for unity and solidarity of the Islamic world, protection of the Two Holy Mosques, peace and stability in Pakistan, national progress and prosperity, and the liberation of oppressed Muslims in occupied Kashmir, Gaza and Palestine.
Earlier, astronomers had predicted that the first day of Shaban would fall on January 21. Astronomy expert Professor Dr Faheem had stated that there was no chance of moon sighting on January 19.
Pakistan’s space agency SUPARCO had also indicated that the new moon of Shaban would be born on January 19 at 12:52 a.m. local time, adding that the visibility conditions supported the likelihood of Shaban beginning on January 21.
As per tradition, the final announcement was made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after reviewing all available testimonies.