The federal government announced on Tuesday a public holiday on November 9, the birth anniversary of Pakistan’s national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

A notification from the Prime Minister’s Office, which is available with Aaj Digital, stated that the prime minister has approved observing November 9 as a public holiday from now onwards.

It means federal government offices will stay closed on November 9.

This year’s Iqbal Day falls on the same day as the T20 World Cup semi-final between Pakistan and New Zealand.

It was also suggested that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf moved the date of the resumption of its protest a day forward - from Wednesday to Thursday - so that it doesn’t clash with the cricket match.