Many have speculated whether the government will announce a public holiday on November 9 for Iqbal Day observance. By Sunday, however, no official notification had been issued.
Last year, November 9 was declared a public holiday by the government.
Born on November 9, 1877, in Sialkot, Allama Iqbal became an influential figure in the subcontinent and played a pivotal role in the Pakistan movement. As a modern Sufi poet, Iqbal inspired a revolutionary spirit in the nation through his powerful poetry. His literary works, translated into languages such as Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and English, established him as a philosopher of international renown.
Iqbal, however, did not live to witness Pakistan’s independence, passing away on April 21, 1938.
It’s worth noting that November 9 is included in the list of public holidays outlined in a government notification issued earlier this year.
In total, there are eleven public holidays as per the circular released on December 12, 2023, along with three bank holidays (excluding employees) and 22 optional holidays. The government has also clarified that Muslim festival holidays are based on projected dates and may change depending on the sighting of the moon.
