KARACHI: The Islamic holy month of Ramazan will commence in Pakistan from Saturday, Chairman of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman announced late Friday.

Mufti Muneeb said evidences of moon-sighting were reported from various areas of the country, confirming the commencement of the month of fasting.

A meeting of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee was held at the Pakistan Meteorological Department

After the meeting, Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman announced that the moon of Ramazan has been sighted in different parts of the country including D.I. Khan and 1st Ramazan, 1433 Hijri, will fall on Saturday, July 21.

Following the announcement, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf sent messages of felicitations on the arrival of Ramazan.

Preparations for Taraveeh prayers also got underway at leading mosques across the country as it prepared for its first fast.

The holy month had already commenced in most Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt.