Pakistan will observe the first fast of Ramazan on Thursday after the moon was sighted in different parts of the country, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Wednesday.

The announcement was made by committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad following a meeting held in Peshawar to determine the beginning of Ramazan 1447AH.

Separate meetings of zonal moon sighting committees were also convened in Islamabad and other provincial capitals.

Addressing the media, the chairman said multiple verified testimonies of the Ramazan crescent were received from various regions of the country.

Based on these reports, it was decided that the first day of fasting would be observed nationwide on February 19.

Following the official declaration, preparations for the first Taraweeh prayers began across the country.

Meanwhile, India and Bangladesh also announced the sighting of the Ramazan moon, with both countries set to observe their first fast on Thursday.

In contrast, Ramazan began a day earlier in Saudi Arabia and several Gulf states. The Saudi Royal Court had formally announced the sighting of the Ramazan crescent a day earlier.

According to a statement issued by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia, the confirmation was based on moon sighting testimonies received from multiple regions of the kingdom.

Elsewhere, Muslim communities in the United States, France, Japan, and several other countries also began observing fasts on Wednesday, either following local moon sightings or the Saudi announcement.