The federal government has officially confirmed that Muharram 1448 AH will begin in Pakistan on Wednesday, June 17, after the new moon was not sighted on Monday evening.
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The announcement has also led to a revision in the previously scheduled public holidays for Ashura across the country.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the decision follows the declaration made by the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee after its meeting in Lahore.
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The committee reviewed moon sighting reports received from different parts of Pakistan before confirming that no reliable testimony of the crescent sighting was received.
The ministry stated that the first day of Muharram will officially fall on June 17, in line with the Islamic lunar calendar and religious procedures followed in the country.
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic year and holds deep religious importance for Muslims worldwide.
Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year, and the first ten days of the month are especially significant.
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Among them, the day of Ashura is observed with religious gatherings, processions, and remembrance events that commemorate historical and spiritual events in Islamic history.
Following the confirmation of the date, changes have been made to the previously announced public holiday schedule.
The Cabinet Division had earlier issued a yearly holiday notification in January, which listed Ashura holidays for June 24 and 25, based on an expected earlier start of Muharram.
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However, after the official confirmation that Muharram will begin on June 17, the government is now expected to observe Ashura holidays on June 25 and 26 instead. The revised schedule ensures alignment with the actual lunar calendar and religious observances.
Authorities across Pakistan are now expected to finalize security, traffic management, and crowd control plans in major cities ahead of the Muharram period. Special arrangements are typically made during this time to ensure the safety of processions and public gatherings, particularly in sensitive areas.
Law enforcement agencies, provincial governments, and local administrations are likely to coordinate closely in the coming days to manage public events and maintain order throughout the religious month.
