ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis are confused over speculation about whether September 6 will be observed as a public holiday this year. September 6, which falls on a Friday in 2024, is celebrated as Defence Day, commemorating the country’s military achievements.
September 6 has not been designated as public holiday for 2024 as per a notification from the federal cabinet division regarding the annual holidays in Pakistan, but it is being speculated that the day might be declared a holiday to honour sacrifices of the armed forces specially in the current time where social media campaigns are being run against state’s institutions.
The last time September 6 was observed as a public holiday at the federal level was in 1997. The government discontinued the holiday for Defence Day in 1998, and it has not been reinstated since.
Nevertheless, the government retains the authority to declare a public holiday at any time, as evidenced by the recent decision to observe Youm-e-Takbeer as a holiday on May 28.
This precedent has fueled speculation that a similar announcement could be made for Defence Day this year.
