Pakistan is likely to celebrate Eid al-Adha on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, according to early moon-sighting calculations, although the final announcement will be made by the official moon-sighting authorities.

According to Khalid Ejaz Mufti, Secretary General of the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, the new moon is expected to be born during the night between May 16 and May 17.

He said that by the evening of May 17, the moon’s age in most parts of the country will be more than 18 hours. Under normal atmospheric conditions and if the sky remains clear, the crescent is expected to be visible on that evening.

If the moon is sighted on May 17, the first day of Zil Hajj will fall on May 18. In that case, Eid ul Azha will be observed nationwide on May 27.

However, if the crescent is not sighted on May 17, the month of Zilqad will complete 30 days. That would shift the beginning of Zil Hajj to May 19 and move Eid ul Azha to Thursday, May 28.

A court had also recently disposed of a petition concerning delays in moon-sighting announcements, highlighting public interest in timely decisions.

Despite the early forecast, the final and official decision will be taken by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after reviewing moon-sighting reports from across the country.