Ramazan | Pakistan

For people living with gastritis or peptic ulcer disease, Ramazan fasting can require extra care. Common causes of this ailment include bacterial infection, smoking, long-term use of painkillers, overeating, and frequent consumption of spicy, fatty, or acidic foods. Symptoms often include stomach pain, heartburn, bloating, burping, acid reflux, and a burning or aching sensation in the upper abdomen. These symptoms tend to worsen when the stomach remains empty for long hours, making fasting during Ramazan particularly challenging for some individuals. What to consider during fasting Whether a person with gastritis or an ulcer can fast during Ramazan depends on the severity of the condition. Skipping meals, especially sehri, can significantly increase stomach acidity and should be avoided. Sehri should include slow-digesting carbohydrates to help sustain energy and reduce gastric irritation during fasting hours. If appetite is low, light but nourishing foods such as milk, dates, and sufficient water are recomme...

The Punjab government has unveiled a large-scale relief initiative aimed at assisting more than four million families during the holy month of Ramazan.

Israeli police said on Monday that they would deploy in force around the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramazan, which begins this week, as Palestinian officials accused Israel of imposing restrictions at the compound. Over the course of the month of fasting and prayer, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians traditionally attend prayers at Al-Aqsa — Islam’s third-holiest site, located in east Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967 and later annexed. Arad Braverman, a senior Jerusalem police officer, said forces would be deployed “day and night” across the compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, and in the surrounding area. He said thousands of police personnel would also be on duty for Friday prayers, which draw the largest crowds of worshippers. Braverman said police had recommended issuing 10,000 permits for Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, who require special permission to enter Jerusalem. He did not say whether age limits would apply, adding that the final number of people would be...

PPP central spoke­sperson Shazia Marri criticised the federal government on Monday for dropping a “petrol bomb” on the public close to Ramazan, terming the latest hike in petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices “unjust” and “highly unfair”. The government increased petrol and HSD prices by Rs5 and Rs7.32 per litre, respectively, on Sunday night. The ex-depot price of petrol now stands at Rs258.17 per litre and of HSD at Rs275.70 per litre. The government said the new prices will continue till the end of February, owing to movement in international market prices. A statement on the PPP’s website said Marri strongly rejected the federal government’s decision to increase the prices of petroleum products, terming it “unjust and ill-advised” ahead Ramazan. According to the statement, Marri said that raising the price of petrol and diesel just days before Ramazan “is a highly unfair and unwise move”. She described the increase as a “petrol bomb” dropped on the public at a time when people were already struggling ...

Lahore - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday vowed that “strict and indiscriminate action” would be taken against those hoarding or raising the prices of goods during the holy month of Ramazan.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday vowed that “strict and indiscriminate action” would be taken against those hoarding or raising the prices of goods during the holy month of Ramazan. According to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the first day of Ramazan is “likely to fall” on February 19, 2026. However, the final announcement regarding the beginning of the Islamic holy month will be made by the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, the sole competent authority, based on credible witness testimonies from across the country. “Exploiting citizens in this sacred month will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” the provincial chief executive said in a post on X. She added that directives and enforcement measures would be outlined in a meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning (Monday). The Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection department (FS&CP), earlier this week, instructed the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (Pera) force to ensure the availability of food item...

This planner blends weekly structure with daily mindful actions, helping you move through Ramazan with balance, intention, and calm. Each day offers practical guidance alongside a gentle spiritual nudge. Image showing a bowl of dates. — Unsplash via The Daily Star Week 1: Adjusting the rhythm In a world where notifications never stop, and timelines dictate our moods, the first week of Ramazan is about consciously slowing down. Social media may be filled with elaborate iftar spreads and productivity checklists, but this week reminds us that Ramazan is not a performance. It is a personal reset. Step back from comparison, ease into the month gently, and focus on setting intentions rather than chasing perfection. Day 1 – Set the pace Plan sehri and iftar timings and aim for an early night. Begin the month with a sincere intention, reminding yourself why this month matters to you. Day 2 – Stock and simplify Buy fruits, dates, and vegetables that will sustain you through the week. Accept an invitation for iftar or ...

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) said on Friday that the first day of Ramazan is “likely to fall” on February 19, 2026. The new moon is expected to be born on Feb 17, 2026, at 5:01pm, according to the statement by the space agency. “At the time of sunset on Feb 18, 2026, the age of the new moon will be approximately 25 hours and 48 minutes. The time duration between sunset and moonset is expected to be 59 minutes along the coastal areas of the country,” added the Suparco statement. “Consequently, the 1st of Ramazan may likely to fall on 19 Feb 2026.” However, the agency said the final announcement regarding the beginning of the Islamic holy month will be made by the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, “which is the sole competent authority, based on credible witness testimonies from across the country”. Earlier this week, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) stated that there is a “fair chance” of sighting the new moon of Ramazan on the evening of February 18. “According to astronomica...

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has issued its scientific forecast for the sighting of the new moon marking the beginning of Ramazan 1447 Hijri, indicating a strong likelihood of visibility on the evening of February 18.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has stated that there is a “fair chance” of sighting the new moon of Ramazan on the evening of February 18, it emerged on Wednesday. According to a letter by the department’s Climate Data Processing Centre (CDPC) in Karachi to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, dated January 26, the new moon of Ramazan “will be born on the crossing conjunction point of 5:01pm on February 17”. “According to astronomical parameters, there is a ‘fair chance’ of sighting the new moon of Ramazan 1447 AH on the evening of February 18, 2026,” it said. Furthermore, the weather was expected to be partly cloudy/fair in most parts of the country, it added. In their letter, the PMD also shared the last expected times for moon sighting in various regions on February 18: 6:58pm in Azad Jammu and Kashmir; 7:47pm in Balochistan; 6:53 pm in Gilgit-Baltistan; 7:13pm in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; 7:08pm in Punjab; and 7:24pm in Sindh.

The holy month of Ramazan is expected to commence on February 19, with the crescent moon likely to be sighted on the evening of Wednesday, February 18, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Tuesday.

The Islamic Ideology Council (IIC) on Tuesday announced the official rates for Zakat al-Fitr, fidyah and kaffarah for the upcoming holy month of Ramazan 2026.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday issued an important forecast regarding the commencement of Ramazan 1447 Hijri, indicating that the first day of the holy month is likely to fall on February 19, 2026.

Karachi is expected to have moderate weather during Ramazan with temperatures around 30°C, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said.

Predictions regarding the likely dates for the sighting of the Ramazan moon and the observance of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha in Pakistan have been shared by the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, based on astronomical calculations.

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has called for proactive planning ahead of Ramazan.