A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry on Tuesday clarified that there was no authenticity to the news regarding a public holiday on November 9.
“No notification has been issued by the Interior Ministry in this regard,” the spokesperson said.
Addressing a session of the National Assembly, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi said, “Naya Pakistan’s vision is to work seven days a week, 24 hours a day.”
He continued, “Prime Minister Imran Khan and federal cabinet have not taken a day off.” November 9 is celebrated as Iqbal Day, a tribute to Allama Muhammad Iqbal who was born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877.
Allama Iqbal played a prominent role in securing a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent. He has influenced a great number of scholars, politicians and prominent personalities throughout the sub-continent.
Published in Daily Times, November 7th 2018.
