Will there be a public holiday on September 6 this year?

September 6 is National Defence Day in Pakistan, which will fall on a Friday this year. Social media is abuzz with speculation about whether this day will be observed as a public holiday.

According to a notification from the Federal Cabinet Division, September 6 is not officially designated as a public holiday in 2024. However, some are hopeful that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif might announce it as a public holiday, similar to his announcement of a holiday on May 28 for Youm-e-Takbeer.

Defence Day was once a public holiday nationwide, but the federal government discontinued this practice after 1997, ending the holiday at the federal level in 1998. Despite this, the government has shown flexibility in declaring public holidays, as seen with the recent announcement of a holiday for Youm-e-Takbeer.

Defence Day commemorates Pakistan’s steadfast defense during the 1965 conflict when its armed forces successfully repelled a surprise attack by numerically superior Indian forces.

In addition to September 6, Pakistan will observe a public holiday on the 12th of Rabiul Awwal to celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The exact date of this holiday will be confirmed on Wednesday, September 4, determining whether it falls on September 16 or September 17.