Eid ul Fitr Holidays Announced for March 31
The Shawwal crescent moon's visibility on March 30 will mark the end of Ramazan, and Eidul Fitr will be celebrated on March 31, with a three-day holiday announced by the Pakistan government, and special trains running to facilitate passengers.
The Pakistan government has announced a three-day holiday for Eidul Fitr from March 31 to April 2, with the exact date determined by the moon sighting, as the Shawwal crescent moon is expected to be visible on March 30.
The International Astronomy Centre has confirmed that the Shawwal crescent moon will be impossible to sight on March 29, 2025, across the Arab and Islamic world, meaning Ramadan will likely extend to 30 days, with Eid Al Fitr falling on March 31. However, some countries may choose to declare Eid on March 30 if the moon can be seen in their region.
Pakistan's Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) had forecasted that the Shawwal moon will be visible on March 30, suggesting that Eid ul-Fitr will likely fall on March 31. The Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee will sight the moon of Shawwal on March 30 to mark the end of Ramazan, and the Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted a good chance of sighting the new moon on the same day.
To facilitate passengers before and after Eidul Fitr, Pakistan Railways will run four special trains. The federal government has announced public holidays from March 31 to April 2, and most of the Islamic world is expected to observe Eid on the same day, March 31.
The moon is set to be born on March 29 at 3:58pm and will be 27 hours old by the time of sighting, with its visibility likely due to the 70-minute duration it will remain in the sky after sunset. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled to meet on March 30 to confirm the sighting, and the Pakistan Meteorological Department predicts Eid ul Fitr to fall on March 31.