Lahore traffic officers’ leaves cancelled ahead Ramadan

LAHORE: DIG Traffic Mazhar Nawaz Sheikh has issued a formal order to cancel the leaves of traffic officers before Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure smooth traffic flow across the city.

Traffic congestion on the roads increases significantly during Ramadan, especially before Iftar. To deal with this, it is necessary to deploy the full force of traffic officers.

DIG Sheikh directed that traffic officers be deployed on important roads, intersections and commercial places before Iftar hours to avoid any inconvenience to the citizens.

He also highlighted the increase in parking and traffic congestion near shopping centers and markets during the last ten days of Ramadan, which will require additional personnel.

The orders also clarify that no officer will be given leave except in emergency situations and strict implementation of the instructions is mandatory.

The countdown to Ramadan 2026 has begun, and the Pakistan Meteorological Department has released a key prediction regarding the Ramadan moon, which has created excitement among Pakistanis.

According to official forecasts, the first Ramadan is expected on February 19, 2026, and there is a strong possibility of the moon being sighted on the evening of February 18. Meteorologists have revealed that the moon will be born on February 17, 2026 at 5:01 PM, which will set the stage for the moon-sighting celebrations.

The moon will be about 26 hours old on February 18. The sun is expected to set at 6:25 PM, while the crescent will set an hour later at 7:24 PM, providing an ideal window for sighting.

The department has also warned that most parts of the country may experience partly cloudy weather, which may affect visibility.

However, since the crescent must be at least 19 hours old to be visible, the evening of February 18 is the most promising for sighting the first moon of the holy month.