ISLAMABAD – The federal government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced a public holiday across Pakistan on November 9 (Wednesday).
The holiday has been announced to celebrate the 145th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the national poet of Pakistan who played a vital role in creation of a new state for the Muslims of the subcontinent through his poetry.
“The Prime Minister has been pleased to desire that November 9 (Iqbal Day) shall henceforth be observed as a Public Holiday,” reads the official notification.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) also announced a bank holiday on November 9. “The State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, being a public holiday on the occasion of Allama Iqbal Day,” it said in a notification.
Also, the Pakistan Stock Exchange would remain closed on Iqbal Day. “All TRE Certificate Holders, Staff and concerned are hereby informed that Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited will remain closed on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 on account of Allama Iqbal Day,” said a notification by Pakistan Stock Exchange.