The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has signaled that Eid-ul-Adha will likely fall on June 27, 2026, in Pakistan. While the official moon-sighting remains the final word, the agency’s preliminary astronomical data suggests the Zil-Hajj crescent will be visible across the country on the evening of June 17.
If the projection holds, the first day of the Islamic month of Zil-Hajj will begin on June 18. This timeline sets the stage for the Day of Arafah to fall on June 26, with the three-day festival of sacrifice following immediately after.
These projections rely on high-precision lunar tracking, yet the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee maintains its legal authority to announce the official date. The committee’s decision depends on physical sightings from various zones across the country, a process that occasionally conflicts with purely mathematical calculations.
For the livestock market, this timeline offers a clear window for planning. Traders in major cattle markets—from Karachi’s Sohrab Goth to Lahore’s Shahpur Kanjran—typically track these early estimates to calibrate supply chains. A mid-June festival means the peak demand for sacrificial animals will likely intensify during the second week of the month, as buyers look to secure livestock before the final days.
For the average household, the date carries significant logistical weight. With the festival falling in late June, it coincides with the traditional summer heat. Families and local administrations will need to account for the weather, which historically impacts the collection and disposal of offal—a recurring challenge for municipal authorities in major urban centers.
While the calendar is now set in the eyes of space scientists, the final announcement will come from the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on the 29th of Zil-Qadah. Until then, the SUPARCO data serves as the primary benchmark for national planning.
