Languages

7 marks

Q: Why did Pakistan choose Urdu as its national language in 1947?

Q: Why have regional language been promoted by the Pakistani government since
1947?

14 marks

Q: "Urdu has been developed more than the regional language between 1947 amd
1999". Do you agree? Give reasons.

Q: How successful was Pakistan in promoting Urdu between 1947 and 1999?
Explain your answer.

Q: Was making Urdu the national language the most important factor through
which the government of Pakistan developed it since 1947? Explain you answer.
 Development of Urdu

Urdu is the medium of the national media. Since the media is well known to everyone and
people watch television and listen to the radio with interest for information and
entertainment, the language gets promoted as more people get exposed to the language.

Urdu has been made the medium of instruction in many schools. This develops interest in
students towards their national language as all the subjects are taught in Urdu and they
frequently use it in their reading, writing and communication.

Urdu is being taught up to M.A, M.Phil and PH.D level in different institutions e.g. Urdu
university, Islamabad. Therefore, the scholars research in the language and explore
different aspects of its poety and prose which helps to modernize Urdu.

Also, Urdu language is a compulsory subject to paass grade 10 and 12 in educational

institutions. Therefore, the language is promoted as students get familiar with its literature
and grammar.

Urdu is the official language of courts Calon, with English. This helps its promotion as it is
then frequently used in judical proceeding e.g judges use it in their judgments and lawyers
use it in their argument.

Urdu mashair; a poetry recitation session, are frequently held in Pakistan where poets
recite their poetry which encourages them to write more in Urdu. They are motivated even
for them when sometimes given awards for their work.

Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and is frequently used in all 4 provinces. Thus, it is
not only a unifying force but is also being promoted by people due to their regular use.
 Failures / Disadvantages

When Urdu was made the national language after independence, East Pakistan strongly
protested for Begali, their language which was spoken by 54% of the total population
whereas Urdu was the language of the minority, to be the national language. This offended
them to the extent that it eventually led to the creation of Bangladesh. So Urdu, instead of
unifying Pakistan, in a way disintegrated it.

The local languages like Punjabi is used by 62% of the total population (after 1971). So
when Urdu was made the national language, which was the language of 8% of the
population, led to resentment among the Punjabis as they were deprived of theirs rights.
This gave rise to the feelings of provincialism.

In urban areas, people prefer English over Urdu and send their children to English Medium
Schools for their better future as they are aware that civil exams are taken in English. So
Urdu is side-lined, one the other hand, in remote areas people mostly use their own local
languages instead of Urdu. Thus, this hinders the development of Urdu as many of them do
not understand it.
 Urdu Sindhi Balochi Punjabi Pashto
Medium of Sindhi Literary Radio Pakistan Books on academic Peshawar University
institution in many Board Karachi subjects like Law,
schools History and
Medicine
Steps to make Urdu Sindhiology Balochi Literary Modern Punjabi Pashto academy
the official language department in Association which poets like Muneer which has published
Sindh university has published Niazi a widely accepted
Jamshora where monthly and weekly Pashto dictionary
Sindhi is being magazines
taught up to M.A.
level
Medium for media Sarmast Academy, The work of Queeta New melivns Work of Peshawar
which has been television Radio and Peshawar
established in the Television
great poet Sachal
Sarmast
Urdu literature Bazm – e – Talib – ul Modern literary Taught up to M.A. Pashto films and
- Maula figures like Ishaq Level in Punjab theatres
Shamim and Gul university
Khan Nasir
Urdu plays and films Famous literary Balochi is being Punjabi theatre and
figures like Faqir – taught up to M.A. film
Nabi Bakhs and Level in Balochistan
G.Allana university
The national Sindhi is the court Versified translation
language language of Sindh of the Holy Qur'an
along with Urdu & by Muhammad Ali
English Farq
It is the court Sindhi is Punjabi poetry
language (along compulsory to pass recitatoions
with English) grade 10 in the sessions
schools of Sindh as
an alternate to Urdu
It is a compulsory Radio & television
subject to pass
grade 10 and 12
Urdu is being taught
up to M.A and PH.D
level in different
universities
Urdu mashaira;
poety recitation
sessions
Bengali – Urdu
contraversy
Promoted
provincialism even
after (1971)
Civil servicce exam
is in English
It is not the
language of rural
people
Q:1 "Punjabi has been developed the most in the regional language since 1947". Do you
agree / disagree? Give reasons. [14]
Punjabi VS Other Languages
Q:2 Why have regional languages been promoted by the Pakistan government since
1947? [7]

2. ans
It was felt that the literature and work undertaken by authors in such areas as Sindh should be kept
alive and so the government set up bodies to promote it such as the Sindhi Literary Board in 1948.

Many languages have played an important role in the history of the region e.g. Pashto literature
had an important role in creating opposition to British rule and the movement for independance.
Thus, it was promoted to preserve this history for future generations.

Balochi had little development before 1947 and its literature was in decline. However, the
government felt that it should be kept alive and not lost forever. Hence, the language was
promoted to bring it at par with the other regional languages.

1. ans
Books on academic subjects like Law, Medicine, Science, History and Philosophy have been
published in Punjabi language, using it as a mean of imparting education and so contributing to its
development

The Punjabi University also teaches Punjabi up to masters level. Therefore, the language gets
promoted as students / scholars do research in different aspects of its literature which helps to
modernize the language.

Radio and television have also promoted Punjabi through news and drama serials, etc. Similarly,
Punjabi theatre and films are also widely appreciated by people because of their comedy and
actions. Hence, by using it as a source of entertainment and information, its understanding has
been improved among the masses.

The Holy Qur'an's versifited translation by Muhammad Ali Faiq in Punjabi promoted the language
on religious lines as Muslims of Punjab read this unique translation with more interest.
The Punjabi poetry recitation sessions (mushairas) are also held where poets recite their poetry in
front of public. It not only helps to increase the interest of the people in this language but also
encourages the poets to work more in Punjabi as they are appreciated by the audience and
sometimes given awards for their poetry.

However, Sindhi, Balochi and Pashto have also been promoted

The setting up of the Sindhi Literary Board was a step towards Sindhi development as it published
different books and magazines in Sindhi and many pronounced literary figures like Fakir Nabi Buksh
and G.Allana became known because of their services to Sindhi literature

The Bazm – e – Talib – ul – Maula also published books of Sindhi literature which attracts more
readers thus promoting the language.

The Darmast Academy, which was established as a tribute to the great Sindhi poet, Sanchal
Sarmast, also promoted the language by printing his works.

The Sindhiology department, at the Sindh university Jamshoro, also promotes Sindhi as its
literature is taught up to M.A. Level here which helps students to know more about the language

Sindhi is also a compulsory language subject in schools of Sindh as an alternate to Urdu. This
promotes its importance among the students and fosters their interst in Sindhi as they are taught
Sindhi literature and grammar.

Pashto has also been developed. It's being taught up to M.A. Level in Peshawar Universitich helps
to promote the language as not only the students come to know about its literature but they also
explore different aspects of the language, throught their research thesis, so modernizing it.

The academy for promotion of Pashto literature was set up in 1954 and this prepared a widely
accepted Pashto dictionary, which created more understanding of this language by improving
Pashto vocabulary among the people.

Balochi has also been developed in Pakistan. Broadcasts in Balochi on radio Pakistan, Karachi and
Quetta television station helped to make the language important through news and entertainment
programs.

The Balochi Literary Association was set up and there are now weekly and monthly magazines
publishsed in the language under it, Nan Kissan and Ollasis being two of them. Thus, this
association promoted Balochi by encouraging different writers and helping in gaining more
readeres.

Many notable poets and writers such as Atta Shad, Ishaq Shamimc and others are also making
waves in Balochi poetry and prose making it widely available to the interested people, thus
promoting it.