SBP: Banks to remain closed on Nov 9

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced that all the banks will remain shut on November 9 owing to the birth anniversary of Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal also known as the Iqbal Day, the central bank said in a statement on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the federal government has also announced public holiday across the country to observe the birth anniversary of the 'Thinker of Pakistan'.

This year 147th birth anniversary of Dr Iqbal will be observed on November 9 across Pakistan.

Dr Iqbal played an instrumental role in inspiring millions of Muslims across the sub-continent to seek an independent homeland where they could practice Islam freely.

The day would dawn with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

Popularly known in Pakistan and other parts of the world as 'the Poet of the East', Dr Iqbal was born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877.

Iqbal was an acclaimed poet and philosopher. He is credited with writing poetry and using his political influence to demand the creation of a separate homeland for Muslims.

His Allahabad address of 1930 was a watershed moment in pre-partition politics.

Allama Iqbal's address gave a clear direction and separate identity to Muslims of the sub-continent to achieve Pakistan.

A Change of Guards ceremony will also be held at his mausoleum in Lahore on Saturday.