Day marks birth anniversary of Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal
ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Thursday declared November 9 to be observed as a public holiday across the country on account of Iqbal Day.
The day marks the birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal, with this year being his 147th birth anniversary.
Also known as "Poet of the East", he was one of the key figures who inspired millions of Muslims in the sub-continent to seek independence from British rule and establish their own homeland.
Born in Sialkot in 1877, Allama Iqbal holds his own as an acclaimed poet and philosopher and is widely credited with using his poetry and political influence to demand the creation of a separate homeland for Muslims.
His Allahabad address of 1930 was a turning point in pre-partition politics as it laid out a clear direction and separate identity for Muslims of the sub-continent to achieve Pakistan.
Iqbal Day is marked with special prayers in mosques for progress and prosperity, a Change of Guards ceremony at his mausoleum in Lahore and various events across the country to pay homage to the country's national poet.
Separately, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has also announced that banks would remain closed on Iqbal Day.
The order was issued by Islamabad's Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah on the request of the FIA
Nayyar Bukhari says those peddling such rumours lack understanding of Constitution
Sharjeel Memon says 11 of 51 hazardous buildings vacated so far
TTP not only threat to Pakistan's national security but also region and world, says Ambassador Asim Iftikhar
Blaze in Kochi Bazaar eventually brought under control after hours-long effort
Spokesperson Leavitt says nomination recognises Trump’s diplomacy in defusing nuclear war threat in South Asia
