The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee has confirmed the sighting of the Muharram moon on Thursday evening. As a result, the new Islamic year 1447 AH will begin on Friday, June 27. This means Ashura — the 10th day of Muharram — will be observed on Sunday, July 6. Muharram marks the first month of the Islamic calendar and is especially sacred for Muslims worldwide. It is a period of mourning that honors the martyrdom of Imam Husain (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his family at Karbala.
A formal notification from the Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed the moon sighting. It stated that the decision was made in a meeting of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee held in Quetta. Based on this, the first day of Muharram-ul-Haram 1447 AH will fall on June 27. The government has asked citizens to observe the month with peace and respect, keeping its significance in mind.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior has unveiled a strong security plan for Muharram. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired a high-level meeting to discuss safety measures for the month. He warned that anyone found spreading religious hate online would face legal action. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has been directed to monitor all digital and TV content closely.
The security meeting included detailed plans for all provinces, including Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad. Authorities are taking all necessary steps to ensure Muharram remains peaceful across the country. Officials said they will make decisions about internet and mobile service shutdowns based on each province’s security needs.
The government has promised full cooperation to maintain order during the holy month. Naqvi stressed that no one will be allowed to incite hatred or create conflict. With mutual consultation between provinces and federal authorities, every effort will be made to protect the sanctity of Muharram and public safety.