Photo: Rohaan Bhatti · CC BY-SA 3.0Events / 9 November
Punjab
Iqbal Day
Pakistan honours its national poet, Muhammad Iqbal, on his birthday: the guard changes at his tomb in Lahore, and Sialkot celebrates at the house where he was born.
Iqbal Day, 9 November, is the birthday of Muhammad Iqbal (1877 to 1938), the philosopher-poet declared Pakistan's national poet. It is a public holiday, restored in 2022 after being withdrawn in 2015. Ceremonies are held at his tomb beside the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, where the guard of honour changes, and at Iqbal Manzil, his birthplace in Sialkot.
- Tomb of Allama Iqbal
- Iqbal Manzil, Sialkot
- Change of guard
- When to plan
- 9 November each year.
- Getting there
- Iqbal's tomb is in Hazuri Bagh, between the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort. Sialkot is about two hours north of Lahore by motorway.
Where it is held
Sources
More in Punjab
Region guide →
February
Lahore Literary Festival
Three days of writers, historians and musicians at the Alhamra Arts Centre on The Mall, held each February since 2013.
February
Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally
The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab's desert rally, run every February since 2005 from Derawar Fort across the Cholistan dunes.
6 March
Saraiki Culture Day (Ajrak Day)
South Punjab's day for the Saraiki language and culture: blue Saraiki ajrak, jhoomar dance, poetry and rallies in Multan and across the region.
