On February 18, 2026, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee convened in Peshawar to sight the crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan. The meeting, chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, is significant as it aims to unify the start of Ramadan across Pakistan, a move that has been increasingly adopted in recent years. Azad stated, "For the past few years, announcements have been made to observe Ramazan on the same day nationwide," emphasizing the committee's commitment to consistency in religious observance. According to the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the new moon was born on February 17 at 5:01 PM, and conditions for visibility were reported as favorable, with the moon expected to be approximately 25 hours and 48 minutes old by sunset on February 18, making it likely to be seen by the naked eye.