Islamabad: The caretaker federal government announced a public holiday on November 9 (Thursday) nationwide to celebrate the birth anniversary of national poet & philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal, according to ARY News.
The cabinet division issued a notification confirming the holiday.
“In line with the Cabinet Division’s circular No. 10-01/2022-Min-II dated December 23, 2022, we announce a public holiday on Iqbal Day, November 9, throughout the country,” the notification stated.
Allama Iqbal was born in Sialkot on Nov 9, 1877. He began his education at a traditional maktab and attended Sialkot Mission School, where he completed his matriculation. He gained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Government College, Lahore, in 1897, followed by a Master’s Degree two years later. He later became a lecturer in history, philosophy, and English at Lahore’s Oriental College.
Iqbal envisioned the idea of Pakistan and inspired Muslims, especially the youth of the subcontinent, through his poetry to fight for their rights against British rule and their demand for a separate homeland. Unfortunately, he did not live to see this dream come true, as he passed away on April 21, 1938.
On November 9, seminars will be held across the country to highlight Iqbal’s contributions to the creation of Pakistan.
