Will Pakistan Get a Public Holiday for Iqbal Day 2025?

Pakistan is set to observe a public holiday on November 9 to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, but this year, the date falls on a Sunday, raising a familiar question about whether an additional day off will be announced.

In 2023, the federal government officially restored Iqbal Day as a national holiday after several years of absence, allowing schools, offices, and public institutions to remain closed on November 9. The move was widely welcomed as a tribute to the poet-philosopher who inspired the idea of Pakistan.

The tradition continued in 2024, with a nationwide day off once again observed on November 9. However, in 2025, the occasion coincides with the weekend, leaving citizens curious whether the government will declare a substitute holiday to ensure the public can fully commemorate the day.

In several countries, including the United States, when a public holiday falls on a weekend, it’s automatically observed on the nearest weekday, typically Monday if the date lands on Sunday. This ensures that citizens don’t lose their official day of rest or recognition due to the calendar overlap.

Pakistan, however, has rarely adopted this approach. Most holidays are observed strictly on their given dates, regardless of which day of the week they fall on. So far, the government has not issued any notification suggesting a compensatory off day for Iqbal Day 2025.

As the date draws closer, the question remains: will Pakistan follow the international practice and shift the observance, or will Iqbal Day 2025 quietly pass as part of a regular Sunday?

Public Holidays in Pakistan – 2025

A table of public holidays in Pakistan for the year 2025 is given below: