Pakistan Confirms Eidul Azha 2026 Date After Zilhaj Moon Sighting

Pakistan will observe Eidul Azha on Wednesday, May 27, after the Zilhaj crescent was sighted in the country on Sunday, bringing clarity to one of the most awaited religious announcements of the year. The decision was confirmed in Karachi following a meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.

The committee session was held at the Pakistan Meteorological Department office, where religious scholars, government representatives and technical experts reviewed moon-sighting reports from different parts of the country. The announcement means the first day of Zilhaj will fall on Monday, May 18.

The decision immediately became a major national development because Eidul Azha affects public holidays, livestock markets, transport planning, business activity and household preparations across Pakistan. Millions of citizens had been waiting for the official confirmation before finalising travel, sacrificial animal purchases and family arrangements.

Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad said the decision was made after verified testimonies of the crescent sighting were received. According to the announcement, the committee reached a formal conclusion that Zilhaj would begin on May 18 and Eidul Azha would be celebrated nationwide on May 27.

The moon-sighting process involved input from central and zonal committees, along with support from experts connected with the Meteorological Department and SUPARCO. Their participation helped officials examine both eyewitness accounts and astronomical conditions before the final decision was shared with the public.

The confirmation follows earlier forecasts indicating that the crescent was likely to be visible on May 17. SUPARCO had projected that the new moon would be born in the early hours of Sunday and that its age by sunset would support the possibility of sighting if weather conditions remained favourable.

Pakistan’s announcement also aligns with decisions in several other Muslim-majority countries. Saudi Arabia has confirmed the sighting of the Zilhaj moon, with Eidul Azha also scheduled for May 27 there, while the Day of Arafah will be observed on May 26. Indonesia has also announced Eidul Azha on the same date.

The date has direct economic and social impact in Pakistan, where Eidul Azha triggers a surge in livestock trade, temporary cattle markets, transport demand, food purchases and municipal preparations. Local administrations are expected to intensify arrangements for cleanliness, traffic control, security and animal market regulation in the days ahead.

The next phase will focus on official holiday notifications, security deployments, livestock market monitoring and public service planning before Eid. Citizens are expected to move quickly on travel and Qurbani arrangements now that the religious calendar has been formally confirmed.