Prayer Times in Karachi.

The five daily prayers: what times to expect in Karachi

Fajr (Subh / فجر) is the pre-dawn prayer. In Karachi, Fajr ranges from around 5:35 AM in December to approximately 4:20 AM in June (PKT, UTC+5). The seasonal variation is modest compared to European cities at higher latitudes; Karachi sits at roughly 24.9 degrees north, where the sun's path changes less dramatically through the year. The UISK 18-degree angle gives a consistent and well-lit dawn start across all seasons.

Dhuhr (Zuhr / ظہر) is the midday prayer. In Karachi it falls between 12:15 PM and 12:45 PM throughout the year. Most offices, schools, and markets pause briefly for Dhuhr, and the adhan from neighbourhood mosques is audible across all areas of the city. Many workplaces in Karachi have small on-site prayer spaces used for Dhuhr and Asr.

Asr (عصر) is the afternoon prayer. Under the Hanafi rule widely followed in Karachi, Asr begins when the shadow of an object equals twice its length. This typically places Asr between 3:45 PM and 5:30 PM depending on the season. The Hanafi Asr is consistently later than the standard method and is the near-universal choice for Karachi's predominantly Hanafi population.

Maghrib (مغرب) is the sunset prayer and one of the most communally observed in Karachi. The adhan for Maghrib is broadcast from thousands of mosques simultaneously across the city. During Ramadan, Maghrib is the signal for iftar, and the city transforms: Sea View, Burns Road, and Boat Basin fill with families and street food vendors. Maghrib falls between 5:35 PM in December and 7:25 PM in June.

Isha (عشاء) is the night prayer. In Karachi it falls between 7:00 PM in December and 9:00 PM in June, following roughly 90 minutes after Maghrib. Tarawih prayers during Ramadan typically begin 20 to 30 minutes after Isha and are one of the most widely attended religious gatherings of the year, with major mosques filling to capacity each night.

The UISK calculation method

The University of Islamic Sciences Karachi (UISK) method was developed by the institution whose name it bears and is now the primary prayer calculation standard for Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and many surrounding regions. It uses an 18-degree angle for both Fajr and Isha, producing symmetric dawn and dusk timing that is considered well-suited to the South Asian subcontinent's astronomical conditions.

Pakistan's official prayer timetable, published by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and used by Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan for their daily broadcast schedules, is based on the UISK method. FivePrayer defaults to UISK when it detects a Pakistan location, matching the nationally recognised schedule.

Karachi's mosques

Masjid-e-Tooba in Defence Housing Authority Phase 2 is one of the world's most architecturally remarkable mosques. Its single white marble dome, 72 metres in diameter and 26 metres high with no internal supporting columns, is among the largest single-span domes ever built. Designed by architect Babar Hamid Chauhan, it can hold up to 5,000 worshippers and was completed in 1969. The mosque remains an architectural landmark and a functioning community mosque with daily prayers.

Jamia Masjid Clifton is one of Karachi's most active neighbourhood mosques, serving the Clifton and Bath Island areas. The Memon Masjid in Saddar is a historic city-centre mosque near the Empress Market area, frequented by shopkeepers and traders in the old commercial heart of the city. Masjid-e-Pakistan in North Nazimabad is another major venue. The Abdullah Shah Ghazi Dargah complex in Clifton includes a mosque that draws large crowds, particularly on Thursday evenings. Karachi's older districts, including Kharadar, Lyari, and Garden, have dozens of historic neighbourhood mosques dating to the British colonial period.

Karachi prayer times in Urdu / اردو میں نماز کے اوقات

کراچی میں نماز کے اوقات جاننے کا آسان ترین طریقہ FivePrayer ایپ ہے۔ یہ ایپ مفت ہے، کوئی اشتہار نہیں، کوئی اکاؤنٹ نہیں، اور خودبخود کراچی یونیورسٹی کا حساب لگاتی ہے جو پاکستان کا سرکاری معیار ہے۔ فجر، ظہر، عصر، مغرب اور عشاء کے درست اوقات آپ کے موبائل پر ہر روز اپ ڈیٹ ہوتے ہیں۔ سفر کے دوران بھی آف لائن کام کرتی ہے۔

Qibla direction from Karachi

From central Karachi, the Qibla bearing to the Kaaba in Mecca is approximately 266 degrees from true north, pointing almost due west with a very slight southward component. The distance to Mecca is roughly 3,000 km. In Karachi homes, it is common to find a small Qibla sticker or wall arrow in living rooms and bedrooms, and most prayer mats are permanently laid in the correct direction. FivePrayer's compass confirms the exact bearing from your GPS location.

Practical guidance for praying in Karachi

Traffic and prayer timing. Karachi's traffic is notoriously unpredictable. Many residents plan their movements around prayer times to avoid being caught in traffic during Dhuhr or Asr. FivePrayer's pre-prayer notification can be set to give advance warning, allowing time to find a mosque or prayer space before the iqamah.

Ramadan in Karachi. Ramadan is observed city-wide with great intensity. Sehri (pre-dawn meal) culture is famously social, with restaurants in some neighbourhoods serving until Fajr. Iftar at major venues like Burns Road and Boat Basin is a city institution. Tarawih at large mosques brings tens of thousands of worshippers together each night for 27 nights.

Prayer facilities at Jinnah International Airport. Karachi's Jinnah International Airport has prayer rooms in the departure and arrivals halls. The facilities are available to all passengers and include wudu areas. For international travellers transiting through Karachi, the airport is well equipped.

FAQ

What time is Fajr in Karachi?

Fajr in Karachi ranges from around 5:35 AM in December to approximately 4:20 AM in June (PKT). The UISK 18-degree method gives consistent timing year-round. FivePrayer gives today's exact time.

Which calculation method is used for prayer times in Karachi?

The University of Islamic Sciences Karachi (UISK) method, using an 18-degree angle for both Fajr and Isha. This is the standard across Pakistan and is the basis for the official government timetable. FivePrayer defaults to UISK for Pakistan.

What is the Qibla direction from Karachi?

Approximately 266 degrees from true north, pointing almost due west. Use FivePrayer's compass for the exact bearing from your precise location.

What is Masjid-e-Tooba in Karachi?

Masjid-e-Tooba in Defence is one of the world's most notable mosques, with a single marble dome 72 metres in diameter and no internal columns. It holds up to 5,000 worshippers and is a functioning community mosque with daily prayers.

Which is the best prayer app for Karachi?

FivePrayer: free, no ads, no account required, auto-detects the UISK method for Pakistan, works offline. Available on iOS, Android, and Chrome.