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November has begun, and people are wondering whether the government will announce a public holiday on November 9 to observe Iqbal Day, as Allama Iqbal was born on this day in the past century.
According to media reports, the federal government has not issued any notification regarding the holiday on November 9. However, since the government announced a public holiday on November 9 last year, the question arises: Why not this year?
Hakeem-ul-Ummat Allama Iqbal was born on November 9, 1877, in Sialkot. He emerged as a significant leader, poet, and philosopher of the 20th century, whose life impacted millions of Muslims in the subcontinent. He played a crucial role in the Pakistan movement.
Allama Iqbal wrote numerous books in Urdu and Persian, filled with soulful and ideological poetry that inspired a revolutionary spirit among the nation. Later, much of his literary work was translated into various languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and others.
Allama Iqbal passed away on April 21, 1938, and was not alive when Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947. The nation will always remember him as the “Poet of the East” who dreamed of Pakistan many years before the Pakistan Movement gained momentum.
It is worth mentioning that November 9 is listed in the notification of public holidays issued at the start of this year. While the holiday is expected to serve as a day of remembrance for the national hero, Allama Iqbal, its status remains uncertain.
According to the circular issued by the government on December 12, 2023, there are nearly 11 public holidays, along with 3 bank holidays, while the optional list includes 22 holidays.
