Islamabad’s district administration has made it mandatory to secure registration and official approval for all street Iftar arrangements as the country prepares to welcome Ramadan 2026.

The district administration cited security concerns in the federal capital as the reason for the decision, a spokesperson for the district administration told Geo News on Sunday.

All individuals interested in setting up street Iftar arrangements can submit their applications with complete details, the official added.

The spokesperson added that the administration will ensure site identification and provision of facilities, including security.

The spokesperson said that assistant commissioners will inspect proposed locations before issuing permits, confirming that 18 applications have already been received from across the federal capital.

The spokesperson vowed that no public Iftar arrangement would be allowed in any part of the federal capital without registration.

The announcement comes just days ahead of the holy month, which is expected to begin on February 19.

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has forecast that the crescent for Ramadan 1447 Hijri is likely to be visible on February 18.

The new moon will be born on February 17 at 5:01pm Pakistan Standard Time, with astronomical parameters indicating favourable visibility conditions the following evening, the Suparco stated.

Sources within the Ministry of Science and Technology had indicated a strong likelihood that Ramadan will begin simultaneously in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia this year.

While the new moon of Ramadan 1447AH is expected to be born on February 17, it is unlikely to be visible on February 17 in Saudi Arabia, the United States, Africa, Europe and other regions of the world.

Popular American rapper J.I.D., whose real name is Destin Choice Route, is super excited to get featured on Jill Scott’s latest album.

Shortly after Scott, 53, released her sixth studio album, titled To Whom This May Concern, on February 13, the 35-year-old musician took to his Instagram Stories to express his excitement over their collaboration. 

Out of the three-time Grammy winner’s 19-track project, the duo made one song together, named To B Honest.

“Nahhhhh hold the f— up!!!! Ms.Jilly&J.I.D I’m fina lose my mind!!!” the Atlanta-born and raised artist wrote over a screenshot of the lyrics. “She is my whole heart!!!!@missjillscott.”

“Lemme be [red heart, crown and strong emoji],” he added.

Although JID is not yet a mainstream household name, he is highly popular within the hip-hop community, widely recognised as a top-tier lyricist and one of the best of his generation.

Interestingly, To Whom It May Concern marked Scott’s return to the music scene as it is her first full length project in more than a decade.

The R&B star gave long-suffering fans the news they’d been waiting for, the announcement of new music, by way of a social post on January 2.

To Whom It May Concern tracklist

Dope Shit (feat. Maha Adachi Earth)

Be Great (feat. Trombone Shorty)

Beautiful People

Offdaback

Norf Side (feat. Tierra Whack)

Disclaimer

Pay U on Tuesday

Pressha

BPOTY (feat. Too $hort)

Me 4

The Math

A Universe

Liftin’ Me Up

Ode to Nikki (feat. Ab-Soul)

Don’t Play

To B Honest

Right Here Right Now

Àṣẹ

Sincerely Do

The royal family’s worries are far from over even after releasing a clear statement about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the ongoing police investigation about his alleged crimes.

King Charles has been so far heckled on two different occasions, Camilla recently avoided a reporter’s question about the Epstein investigation and Prince William also seemed to have ignored when a reporter heckled him earlier this week in Saudi Arabia.

Critics believe that it is an error in judgement for the royals who continue to shield the disgraced former Duke of York.

In the midst of these crisis, the royal family is urged to be “more open and honest” about the allegations about the ex-prince Andrew that have emerged in the Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice.

According to the Graham Smith, CEO of Republic, stressed that the royals should acknowledge the “serious problems” that involve Andrew and the police should “feel free to investigate and go where the evidence leads, without repercussions from them”.

He told GB News that being open about the dire situation is the “bare minimum you would expect for anybody, let alone the head of state”.

Graham emphasised that there should be “no expectation of favourable treatment from the police” and the royals should be “subjected to the same laws as everyone else”.

The royals should provide an update on the matter as the investigation progresses so the public can trust them.

The police should have “free access to whatever documents they want, and they will publicly share, like what the US authorities are doing and put whatever they can into the public domain willingly”.

The renewed demands come after Buckingham Palace released a statement from the King on February 9, stating that the monarch “made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct”.

It noted that if the Palace is “approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect”.