The nation marks Iqbal Day to salute Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the renowned philosopher and poet, with educational institutions organising events on this day, and students reciting Iqbal’s poetry and discussing his contributions to the national heritage.

As per the list of holidays issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the beginning of 2024, there will be a public holiday on Iqbal Day.

The holiday had been suspended in 2015 and was reinstated in 2022. Last year, the Cabinet Division declared Iqbal Day a public holiday again, raising hopes for similar announcements this year.

Allama Iqbal was born on November 9, 1877 in Sialkot. He played a pivotal role in inspiring the Pakistan independence movement through his poetic vision. His works, revered globally and translated into various languages have solidified his status as a modern Sufi poet and philosopher. However, the great poet passed away on April 21, 1938 ahead of the independence of Pakistan.