PESHAWAR: The federal government has announced that the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will convene in Peshawar on February 28, 2025, to determine the sighting of the Ramadan moon for 1446 AH.
The meeting, chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, aims to ensure national consensus on the beginning of the holy month.
Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committees will hold simultaneous meetings in their respective regions, collecting testimonies before the central body makes the final announcement. Authorities are working closely with religious scholars and institutions to promote unity in moon sighting across the country.
Alongside preparations for Ramadan, the government is finalizing Pakistan’s largest-ever Ramadan Relief Package to support low-income families. A proposal under review suggests distributing a one-time cash assistance of Rs. 5,000 to 3.9 million deserving families, with a total budget of Rs. 20.5 billion.
Funding for the package will be sourced from multiple departments, including Rs. 10 billion from the Ministry of Industries and Production, Rs. 2 billion from the Benazir Income Support Program, and Rs. 8.5 billion from the Ministry of Finance. Unlike previous years, the relief will not be provided through utility stores but through direct financial assistance.
The Ramadan package budget will also cover expenses for media campaigns, operational costs, NADRA verification fees, and charges from financial institutions processing the aid.
With the moon sighting committee set to meet and financial relief initiatives being planned, the government aims to ensure both religious harmony and economic support for citizens during the holy month.
