Iqbal Day Holiday 2026: November 9 declared public holiday across Pakistan
Pakistan will observe Allama Iqbal's birth anniversary on November 9, 2026, with a nationwide public holiday covering government offices, schools, banks and the stock exchange.
The Iqbal Day holiday 2026 will be observed across Pakistan on Monday, November 9, as the federal government has declared a nationwide public holiday to mark the birth anniversary of national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
The Cabinet Division has issued an official notification confirming the closure of government offices and public institutions across the country for the occasion.
The Punjab School Education Department has also announced that all public and private schools across the province will remain closed on November 9.
According to the department's notification, the holiday will apply to educational institutions throughout Punjab, with district education authorities directed to ensure its implementation.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has separately confirmed that it will remain closed on Monday, November 9, on account of Allama Iqbal Day, in accordance with the federal government's announcement.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited (PSX) has also notified that trading will remain suspended for the day in observance of the national holiday.
Allama Muhammad Iqbal, born on November 9, 1877, is remembered for his contributions to Urdu and Persian literature and his philosophical ideas. His poetry and political thought played an influential role in shaping the intellectual foundations of the Pakistan Movement.
The annual observance of Iqbal Day provides an opportunity to revisit his literary legacy and contributions to the region's intellectual and political history.
With schools, banks and the stock exchange confirming closures, November 9 will be observed as a public holiday across Pakistan.
