Iqbal Day is approaching, and many are speculating whether the government will announce a public holiday on November 9, as it did last year. However, no official notification has been issued yet.
Observed annually on November 9 in Pakistan, Iqbal Day commemorates the life and contributions of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, a prominent figure in Urdu literature and the ideological foundation of Pakistan.
The day is marked by ceremonies, poetry readings, and educational events that honor his influence on philosophy and national identity.
In 2023, the government declared November 9 as a public holiday, and this year, Iqbal Day has again been listed among official holidays by the Federal Cabinet Division.
The 2024 public holiday calendar includes Kashmir Day, Pakistan Day, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Labor Day, Muharram, Iqbal Day, and Quaid-e-Azam’s Birthday.
Moreover, Shab-e-Meraj and Shab-e-Barat are designated as optional holidays for those observing Islamic traditions. Non-Muslim communities can observe optional holidays for festivals such as Basant Panchami, Shivratri, Holi, Good Friday, Easter, Baisakhi, Eid-ul-Rizwan (Baha’i), Buddhist Purnima, and Nowruz (Parsi New Year).
