Govt declares public holiday on Iqbal Day tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Thursday announced that a public holiday will be observed on November 9 (Saturday) on account of the 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 the British rule and establish their own homeland. Iqbal Day is marked with special prayers in mosques for the country’s prosperity, a Change of Guards ceremony at his mausoleum in Lahore and various events across the country to pay homage to the national poet. The State Bank of Pakistan has also announced that banks would remain closed on Iqbal Day.