The Islamic New Year (Hijri 1448) is calculated by the traditional sighting of the crescent moon, which adjusts the lunar calendar by 10 to 11 days earlier every solar year. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is the only body in Pakistan to officially declare a new month. Based on the astronomical calculations and mathematical predictions, the month of Dhul Hijjah is due to conclude and the month of sacred Muharram to begin this coming month of June.
In the wake of the religious events, government, security and religious organisations are already rolling out early logistical and administrative arrangements in the country for peaceful observation in the first ten days of the holy month.
Calculated Lunar Sighting for 1st Muharram 1448 AH
Meteorological institutes are now measuring the atmospheric visibility parameters before the end of the current Islamic year, in order to determine the visibility of the new crescent. The official moon-sighting meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled for 6:00 PM on the evening of Monday, 15th June 2026.
Using calculated orbital positions and new moon age:
As per the Islamic tradition, the start of Muharram and Islamic New Year in Pakistan will be on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 if the crescent is sighted physically or visually on the night of 15th June 2026.
If the moon is not visible due to environmental factors or it is in an early phase, then the 1st of Muharram should be observed on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 following a complete 30-day period of Dhul Hijjah. But the astronomical data in the region, as it stands now, indicates that the probable starting date is June 16.
Projected Dates for Ashura (9th & 10th Muharram) Public Holidays
Muharram is a particularly historic and spiritual month for Muslims around the world. It is the mournful remembrance of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A.) ( grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) ) and his family and companions at the battle of Karbala.
With the much awaited date of the 1st of Muharram falling on 16th June, the following chronology is anticipated for the days of the month of mournful remembrance:
The main routes of Tasua (9th Muharram), the security cordons and the preliminary street majalis will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
Yom-e-Ashura (10th Muharram): The occasions of national remembrance will be observed on Thursday, June 25, 2026, with many processionals held in the major cities.
Official Public Holidays: The 9th and 10th of Muharram (June 24 and June 25) are already official public holidays, as per the federal government’s annual holiday calendar, throughout the country. These two days will be observed as holidays at all private and public educational institutions, banks, commercial corporate sectors and government offices.
State Security Framework and Mobile Network Directives
The federal government, along with provincial interior departments, is establishing strict regulatory control to regulate civic order. Local administrations are set to implement Section 144 in the sensitive areas of major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and Peshawar immediately after the official announcement of the moon of Muharram. Paramilitary or military personnel will be deployed along the main procession pathways to help local police. Besides, mobile cellular networks and wireless internet services will be subjected to strategic temporary shut down on the routes of procession on the 9th and 10th of Muharram to prevent any security lapses.
