Will November 9 be a public holiday in Pakistan?

November 9 marks Iqbal Day, a time to honour the contributions of the great poet and philosopher Allama Iqbal, whose legacy continues to inspire generations.

As the day approaches, many people are wondering if the day will be observed as a public holiday, particularly since it falls on a Saturday in 2024.

The holiday has had a tumultuous history. Suspended in 2015, it was reinstated in 2022. Last year, the Cabinet Division declared Iqbal Day a public holiday, raising hopes for similar announcements this year.

The official list of holidays for 2024 indicates that Iqbal Day is marked for observance, suggesting that celebrations will proceed as planned. Traditionally, educational institutions organise events on this day, where students recite Iqbal’s poetry and discuss his contributions to the country’s heritage.

As anticipation builds, citizens are eager for the government’s announcement regarding this year’s holiday. No official notification has been issued so far, leaving many to speculate on whether November 9 will be observed as a public holiday in honour of Iqbal.

However the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had at the beginning of 2024 issues a list of holidays that would observed by the Mission. It includes November 9 Iqbal Day as a holiday.

Photo: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN

Born on November 9, 1877, in Sialkot, Iqbal played a pivotal role in inspiring the Pakistan independence movement through his poetic vision. His works, revered globally and translated into various languages—including Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and English—have solidified his status as a modern Sufi poet and philosopher. Sadly, Iqbal did not live to see Pakistan's independence, passing away on April 21, 1938.