Overview
- The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued an astronomical forecast on Aug. 5 that the new crescent is unlikely to be sighted on the evening of Aug. 13, and it projects Rabiul Awwal to begin on Aug. 15.
- The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee retains sole authority to declare the month and will make a final announcement after evening moon-sighting observations on Aug. 13.
- PMD warned that partly cloudy conditions across much of the country could hinder visual sightings and noted the moon’s young age and short interval between sunset and moonset as limiting factors.
- If the committee confirms the PMD projection, 12 Rabiul Awwal — observed as Eid Milad‑un‑Nabi — would fall on Aug. 26 and be observed nationwide on that date.
- The PMD provides scientific visibility calculations to guide expectations, but local cloud cover and region-by-region sighting reports can lead to different official dates in practice, which affects event planning and religious observances.