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Complete calendar of all national days, important dates, Islamic observances, and international days in Pakistan with significance, frequently tested MCQ facts, trap questions, and preparation tips for CSS, PMS, PPSC, and FPSC competitive exams.
National days and important observances are among the most frequently asked MCQ topics in every competitive exam in Pakistan. Whether it is CSS, PMS, PPSC, FPSC, NTS, or any provincial commission test, you will find 3-5 questions on important days and dates in virtually every paper.
This comprehensive guide covers every national day, historical observance, international day observed in Pakistan, and the dates that exam papers test again and again.
These are the most important days every Pakistani competitive exam aspirant must know:
| Date | Day | Significance | Frequently Tested Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 February | Kashmir Day | Solidarity with people of Indian-administered Kashmir | Public holiday, rallies and seminars held nationwide |
| 23 March | Pakistan Day (Republic Day) | Lahore Resolution passed (1940), first Constitution adopted (1956) | Pakistan Resolution moved by Fazl-ul-Haq at Minto Park (now Iqbal Park) Lahore |
| 1 May | Labour Day | International Workers' Day | Public holiday, recognized globally since 1889 |
| 28 May | Youm-e-Takbeer | Pakistan conducted nuclear tests (1998) | Five nuclear devices detonated at Chagai Hills, Balochistan |
| 14 August | Independence Day | Pakistan gained independence (1947) | Quaid-e-Azam became first Governor-General, Liaquat first PM |
| 6 September | Defence Day | Commemoration of 1965 Indo-Pak War | India crossed international border on 6 Sep 1965, Pakistan's armed forces repelled the attack |
| 7 September | Air Force Day | Tribute to PAF's role in 1965 War | MM Alam shot down 5 Indian aircraft in one minute (world record) |
| 8 September | Navy Day | Tribute to Pakistan Navy in 1965 War | Naval operations during 1965 War |
| 11 September | Quaid-e-Azam Death Anniversary | Quaid-e-Azam passed away (1948) | Died in Karachi, buried at Mazar-e-Quaid |
| 9 November | Allama Iqbal Day | Birth anniversary of the national poet (1877) | Born in Sialkot, philosopher-poet who envisioned separate Muslim state |
| 25 December | Quaid-e-Azam Day | Birth anniversary of the founder (1876) | Born in Karachi, public holiday |
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day |
| 15 January | National Education Day (in some years) |
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 5 February | Kashmir Solidarity Day |
| 21 February | International Mother Language Day (significant for Bengali Language Movement 1952) |
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 3 March | World Wildlife Day |
| 8 March | International Women's Day |
| 12 March | Objectives Resolution Day (1949) |
| 22 March | World Water Day |
| 23 March | Pakistan Day / Republic Day |
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 4 April | Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's death anniversary (executed 1979) |
| 7 April | World Health Day |
| 22 April | Earth Day |
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 1 May | Labour Day (International Workers' Day) |
| 3 May | World Press Freedom Day |
| 28 May | Youm-e-Takbeer (Nuclear Tests Day, 1998) |
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 5 June | World Environment Day |
| 27 June | Martyrdom anniversary of Liaquat Ali Khan supporters' rally |
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 1 July | State Bank of Pakistan founding day (1948) |
| 8 July | Flag Day of Pakistan |
| 11 July | World Population Day |
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 14 August | Independence Day |
| 17 August | Zia-ul-Haq death anniversary (plane crash 1988) |
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 6 September | Defence Day |
| 7 September | Pakistan Air Force Day |
| 8 September | Pakistan Navy Day |
| 11 September | Quaid-e-Azam Death Anniversary |
| 16 September | International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer |
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 5 October | World Teachers' Day |
| 8 October | Kashmir Earthquake Remembrance Day (2005) |
| 16 October | Liaquat Ali Khan assassination anniversary (1951) |
| 24 October | United Nations Day |
| 27 October | Black Day (Indian occupation of Kashmir 1947) |
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 9 November | Allama Iqbal Day (Birth Anniversary) |
| 14 November | National Children's Day (in some years) |
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 1 December | World AIDS Day |
| 10 December | Human Rights Day |
| 16 December | Victory of Bangladesh over Pakistan (1971) - also APS Peshawar attack remembrance (2014) |
| 25 December | Quaid-e-Azam Day (Birth Anniversary) |
| 27 December | Benazir Bhutto assassination anniversary (2007) |
These dates follow the Islamic (Hijri) calendar and shift each year:
| Occasion | Month (Hijri) | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Rabi-ul-Awal | 3rd month | Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad's birthday), public holiday |
| 27 Rajab | 7th month | Shab-e-Meraj (Night of Ascension) |
| 15 Shaban | 8th month | Shab-e-Barat (Night of Fortune) |
| Ramadan | 9th month | Month of fasting, significant for national routine |
| 27 Ramadan | 9th month | Shab-e-Qadr (Night of Power) |
| 1 Shawwal | 10th month | Eid-ul-Fitr (public holiday, 3 days) |
| 10 Zilhajj | 12th month | Eid-ul-Adha (public holiday, 3 days) |
| 9 Zilhajj | 12th month | Youm-e-Arafat |
| 10 Muharram | 1st month | Ashura (Martyrdom of Imam Hussain, public holiday) |
| Date | Day | Often Tested Because |
|---|---|---|
| 22 March | World Water Day | Pakistan is a water-stressed country |
| 22 April | Earth Day | Environmental awareness questions |
| 1 May | Labour Day | Workers' rights, public holiday |
| 3 May | Press Freedom Day | Media and constitution questions |
| 5 June | Environment Day | Climate change, Pakistan floods |
| 8 March | International Women's Day | Gender studies, social awareness |
| 24 October | United Nations Day | Pakistan joined UN: 30 Sept 1947 |
| 10 December | Human Rights Day | UDHR adopted 1948, Pakistan signatory |
Be careful of these commonly confused facts:
| Trap Question | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| When is Pakistan Day? | 23 March (NOT 14 August, which is Independence Day) |
| What happened on 23 March? | Lahore Resolution (1940) AND first constitution adoption (1956), both on 23 March |
| When did Quaid-e-Azam die? | 11 September 1948 (NOT 14 September) |
| Who moved the Lahore Resolution? | A.K. Fazl-ul-Haq (NOT Jinnah, who presided over the session) |
| Where was Quaid born? | Karachi (NOT Sialkot, that's Iqbal) |
| Where was Iqbal born? | Sialkot (NOT Lahore, he lived there later) |
| 6 September is? | Defence Day (NOT Air Force Day, which is 7 September) |
Test your knowledge with interactive MCQs from actual CSS and PMS exam papers.
Continue learning with these guides
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