ISLAMABAD (National Times) – The federal government has announced a public holiday on November 9 (Wednesday) across the country to mark ‘Iqbal Day’, the 145th birth anniversary of Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal.

The government notified the development on Tuesday.

“The Prime Minister has been pleased to desire that November 9 (Iqbal Day) shall henceforth be observed as a Public Holiday,” an official notification read.

Dr Iqbal played an instrumental role in inspiring millions of Muslims across the sub-continent to seek an independent homeland where they could practice Islam freely.

The day would dawn with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

Popularly known in Pakistan and other parts of the world as “Poet of the East”, Dr Iqbal was born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877.

Iqbal was an acclaimed poet and philosopher. He is credited with writing poetry and using his political influence to demand the creation of a separate homeland for Muslims.

A Change of Guards ceremony would be held at his mausoleum in Lahore.