Shaban Moon Not Sighted in Pakistan, First of Shaban to Fall on January 21

Photo File (AI/Sora)

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Tuesday that the moon marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Shaban was not sighted anywhere in Pakistan, setting the first day of Shaban for Wednesday, January 21.

The meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee was held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Maulana Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad. The session was convened to review moon sighting reports from across the country.

Separate meetings of the zonal Ruet-e-Hilal committees were also held in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar. Officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology, SUPARCO, and other relevant institutions participated in the proceedings.

During the meeting, the central committee examined all testimonies and technical data related to the sighting of the Shaban moon. After reviewing the evidence, the committee concluded that no verified sighting had been reported.

Following the decision, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee formally announced that the month of Rajab would complete 30 days and that the first day of Shaban-ul-Muazzam would be observed on Wednesday, January 21.

The announcement was made in accordance with established procedures, ensuring nationwide uniformity in the commencement of the Islamic month.