ISLAMABAD: The federal government has declared November 9 (Monday) a public holiday across the country on the occasion of Allama Iqbal Day.
The holiday will be observed in accordance with the government’s annual public and optional holidays schedule for 2026, according to a press release issued by the Cabinet Division on Thursday.
The poet was born on November 9, 1877, in Sialkot. He is widely recognised for his contributions to Urdu and Persian literature and his philosophical and political thought.
Popularly known as the poet of the East, Iqbal used his poetry to highlight themes of self-realisation, unity, dignity and spiritual awakening among Muslims.
His literary works include Bang-e-Dra, Bal-e-Jibril, Zarb-e-Kalim and Asrar-e-Khudi, which continue to hold an important place in Urdu and Persian literature.
Iqbal is also remembered for his political vision for the Muslims of the subcontinent. His Allahabad address in 1930 outlined the idea of a separate political arrangement for Muslims in north-western India. –Agencies
