SBP Announces holiday for Iqbal Day Commemoration
In observance of Allama Iqbal Day, a significant cultural and historical event in Pakistan, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced its closure on Thursday, November 9, 2023. This decision aligns with the official declaration made by the Government of Pakistan, designating Iqbal Day as a public holiday.
Karobar
A notice issued by the central bank on Monday confirmed, "The State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed on Thursday, November 09, 2023." This holiday, in honor of the 146th birthday of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the national poet and philosopher, is an occasion for reflection and celebration.
The federal government, on Friday, made the official proclamation of Iqbal Day as a public holiday.
This decision extends to all educational institutions, government offices, and private offices across the country, which will also be closed on November 9.
Moreover, the Sindh government has followed suit by declaring a public holiday on November 09 to mark Iqbal Day. According to a notification issued by the provincial government on Monday, the holiday will encompass all government offices, autonomous bodies, semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, and local councils under the administrative control of the Sindh government. However, essential services will remain operational.
It is worth noting that the government reinstated this public holiday for November 9 last year after several years of it not being observed. The reinstatement reflects the significance of Allama Iqbal, who was born on November 9, 1877, in Sialkot. He was a distinguished figure who played a pivotal role in the Pakistan movement, leaving an indelible mark on the subcontinent.
