The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has declared a public holiday across the province on June 17, 2026, on the occasion of 1st Muharram 1448 AH, marking the beginning of the Islamic New Year.
According to a notification issued by the provincial Administration Department, government offices and public institutions will remain closed on the day in line with the decision of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee regarding the commencement of the new Islamic year.
The announcement follows the committee’s decision that the Muharram moon was not sighted on Monday. Speaking after a meeting held at Iqbal Hall, Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad said no credible testimonies were received from across the country confirming the sighting of the crescent.
As a result, he announced that 1st Muharram 1448 AH will fall on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
The central moon-sighting meeting was held in Lahore, while provincial and zonal committees met simultaneously in various cities nationwide to collect reports on the crescent sighting.
The first day of Muharram marks the start of the Islamic calendar year and is also observed as the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA), the second Caliph of Islam.
According to the committee’s announcement, 10th Muharram (Ashura) will be observed on Friday, June 26, 2026.
