LANGUAGES OF

PAKISTAN
 Table of Contents
 Languages of Pakistan

 National Language

 Provincial Languages
 Languages of Pakistan
• Pakistan is a multi-lingual country.
Approximately 87 languages are spoken
by the people of Pakistan. There are 4
regional languages: Punjabi, Sindhi,
Pushto, and Balochi. These languages
are rich in literature, poetry, folk songs,
spiritual quotes of their respective saints
and contribute greatly to the culture of
Pakistan.
• The regional languages distinct from
each other in their forms and expression
of thoughts and also have several
common factors in them. They cultivate
love, respect and a firm devotion to the
Pakistani Ideology.
 National Language
(Urdu)
• Urdu is the national language of Pakistan. It is closely related to Hindi and is developed under the
influence of the Persian and Arabic languages. Around 99% of Urdu verbs have their roots in Sanskrit.
• Muhammad Hussain Azad is among the most eminent writers of Urdu prose. In a later era,
Maulana Azad and Altaf Hussain Hali introduced new themes and fresh styles, and the sphere of
Urdu poetry widened.
• During the struggle for Pakistan, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Hafeez Jalandhari excelled in
poetry and cultivated refined themes in Urdu literature.
• After independence, Urdu literature flourished under state benefaction, when Urdu was declared
the official language of Pakistan. Manto, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and many others developed matchless
poetry and prose.
• Mir Taqi Mir (1723–1810) was the leading Urdu poet of the 18th century in the courts of Mughal
Emperors and Nawabs of Awadh.
• The first person to translate Quran into Urdu was Shah Abdul Qadir (son of Shah Walliullah).
 Importance of Urdu language
Pakistan’s official language is Urdu, which is also one of India’s official languages. Urdu’s literary tradition is very rich, with
poetry and prose being written since the 17th century and the 19th century, respectively. Strategically, Urdu is a vitally
important language in the region.

Urdu is spoken in Pakistan, many parts of India, the Middle East, Nepal, Bangladesh and many other locations worldwide. In
India, most of the Urdu speakers live in huge Muslim communities and in cities that used to be the power centers, like
Hyderabad, Bhopal, Kashmir, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

Urdu has been described as a Persianised standard register of the Hindustani language. Urdu and Hindi share a common Indo-
Aryan vocabulary base and very similar phonology and syntax, making them mutually intelligible in colloquial speech. Formal
Urdu draws literary and technical vocabulary and some simple grammatical structures from Persian, whereas formal Hindi
draws these from Sanskrit.

Urdu continued its role in developing a Muslim identity as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was established with the intent to
construct a homeland for Muslims of South Asia. Several languages and dialects spoken throughout the regions of Pakistan
produced an imminent need for a uniting language. Urdu was chosen as a symbol of unity for the new state of Pakistan in
1947, because it had already served as a lingua franca among Muslims in north and northwest British India Urdu is also seen
as a repertory for the cultural and social heritage of Pakistan.

While Urdu and Islam together played important roles in developing the national identity of Pakistan, disputes in the 1950s
(particularly those in East Pakistan, where Bengali was the dominant language), challenged the idea of Urdu as a national
symbol and its practicality as the lingua franca. The significance of Urdu as a national symbol was downplayed by these
 Reasons to Choose Urdu as
national language
One of the reasons why Urdu became the national language in Pakistan is its long history. It was widely used in Mughal period and dates back as
far as the sultans of Delhi. In its early stages it was used by the Muslim armies and became widely spoken and understood in many parts of the
sub-continent. So it was natural that such a well-known and established language would be chosen.

Another reason for Urdu being chosen was its high status. Some of the finest early poets such as Amir Khusrou wrote in Urdu and Sir Syed
Ahmad Khan’s school at Aligarh became a centre for Urdu study. Many religious books, including the Quran, were translated into Urdu. So it
was considered an important language with a rich literary tradition.

Perhaps the major reason for Urdu being chosen was the fact that it was so closely associated with the Pakistan Movement. Sir Syed Ahmad
Khan supported it and the Muslim league was formed not only to defend Muslim interests, but also to protect Urdu. The Quaid-e-Azam was
particularly keen to promote Urdu as he saw it was it as a unifying force. Since Pakistan was a new country, it was very appropriate to pick a
language which had played a part in unifying Muslims.

Another reason for choosing Urdu was that it was the only language of Pakistan which was non-controversial among different people of the
country. No one could have any objection as it was the language of all.
 Provincial Languages
(Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi)
Punjabi
Punjabi is the language of the province 'Punjab'. It links back to the Aryan language .
However, with time, the vocabulary of Punjabi language became a mixture of Persian,
Arabic and Turkish words. Punjabi is rich in mystical and romantic poetry.
Punjabi is the most widely spoken language in Pakistan, the 11th most widely spoken in India
and the third most-spoken native language in the Indian Subcontinent. Punjabi is the fourth
most-spoken language in the United Kingdom, and the fifth most-spoken native language in
Canada. It also has a significant presence in the United Arab Emirates, United States and
Australia. Punjabi is written in both the Shahmukhi and the Gurmukhi scripts.
Some of the famous poets of Punjabi language include Baba Farid Shakar Ganj Baksh,
Madhu Lal Hussain, Sultan Bahu, Bullay Shah and Waris Shah etc. These all have done
excellent work in Punjabi literature and poetry.
 Sindhi
• The word Sindhi is an adjective which means "belonging to Sindh’’. The name of the language
indicates with fair accuracy the locality in which it is spoken.
• Sindhi is one of the important regional languages of Pakistan. It appears that Sindhi was spoken in the
Indus Delta from ancient times. It is said that the language of the people of Moen-jo-Daro contained
elements of present era Sindhi language.
• The grammatical structure of Sindhi is heterogenous. The noun and branches belong to Sanskrit. Verbs
and adverbs are formed from Persian models. Some writers identify Vichola as standard literary
language and Saraiki, Thareli or Dhatki, Kachi, Lari, and Lasi as dialects of Sindhi.
• The script of Sindhi is Arabic in character, principally Kufic. The script may have originated as early
as the Arab period of its history. The 52 sounds in Sindhi are represented by the 30 letters of Arabic.
• The Sindhi language possesses a voluminous literature in both poetry and prose. Shah Karim of Burli
(1537-1628), Shah Latif Bhitai (1698-1750) and Sachal Sarmast (1739- 1828) were the greatest of
Sindhi poets. In the British period Sindhi poetry tended to adopt Persian verse forms, and this trend
continues to date.
• Various steps have been taken to develop Sindhi. Organizations like 'Sindhi Literary Board' and Bazm-
e-Talib-ul-Maula were set up. Several newspapers are being published in Sindhi. These include
Kawish, Ibrat, Naw-e-Sindhi and Khadim-e-Watan.
Shah Abdul Latif Bhatai’s Tomb

Sachal Sarmast’s Tomb

 Balochi
• Baluchi is the regional language of Baluchistan. It is the least developed of all the
regional languages. It was spread by Baluchi tribes that migrated from Iran.
• Literature produced by earlier poets is not in records, as it was preserved traditionally in
the memories of the people. No newspapers or books were published in Baluchi up till
1940. After partition, however Baluchi literature received a little boost. It was due to the
efforts made by various organizations and due to establishment of TV stations. At present,
Baluchi literature is on the road to development.
• There are two types of Baluchi: Sulemanki and Makrani.
• The earliest mention of Baluch literature is to be found in the works of Ibn-e-Haukal (961
A.D.), However, Baluchi literature won no attention until five centuries later. It was in 1830
when an enterprising European globe trotter(traveller), named Leech, published his Research
Report on the language and the literature of the Baluchi's in the Journal of the Asiatic
Society of Bengal. This proved a turning point that attracted the world's attention.
• Well known poets of Baluchi language are: Jam Darang, Shah Mureed and Shadab.
 Pashto
• Pushto is the regional language of the N.W.F.P. and tribal areas. It belongs to the East Iranian group of
languages and contains many Persian, Arabic, Greek and Pehlevi words.
• Although Pushto is an old language but its literature is comparatively a new one. After independence
education spread rapidly and Pushto literature received a great boost.
• The Pushto Academy Peshawar, some other literary societies and educational institutions such as
Islamia College Peshawar helped to develop Pushto literature.
• Pushto is spoken in most of Afghanistan. In Pakistan, it is spoken in NWFP, Baluchistan, and border
districts of Punjab.
• A district-wise survey of the Pushto speaking population in provinces includes Hazara, Peshawar,
Kohat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan in the province of NWFP.
• In Baluchistan, the Pushto districts include Quetta, Pishin, Loralai, Zhob, and Sibi. It is also spoken in
border districts of Punjab such as Attock and Mianwali.
• There are about 45-60 million people worldwide who speak Pashto.
• Some of the well known poets of Pushto language include Khushal Khan Khatak and Rehman Baba.
 REASONS FOR PROMOTING REGIONAL
LANGUAGES
It is the responsibility of all political powers to transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, writing
systems and literatures. Language is the most important element of life for preserving everything of historical importance e.g. local
culture, art, traditions, poetry, stories, music, letters, theatrical performances, ceremonies, special events, rituals and family values.
Promotion of regional languages is therefore important for preserving such vital components of local life.

Our Native languages have been in oral use since centuries followed by development of written texts. These languages contain
generations of wisdom e.g. child rearing skills, curing illnesses, acquiring food and settling disputes. If a language is lost, much of the
knowledge it contains will also be lost. Therefore, the government must implement successful programs to promote local languages
and protect them from disappearing. 

Mother tongue provides identity to its speakers. It transmits family values from generation to generation. People have strong
attachment with their native languages. Survival of its speech communities is linked with their languages. It is therefore the collective
responsibility of involved authorities to protect the people whose languages are becoming endangered.

Coming to modern era, private schools concentrate on English language and western curriculum resulting in the erosion of language
and culture. Native languages are vulnerable to “English language invasion.” We are confronted with the problem of language shift.
Under such circumstances it is incumbent on the government to revive and preserve our regional languages in all atmospheres of life
with special emphasis in academic frameworks and public offices.

Many people love to watch dramas, talk shows and other TV programs in their native languages. They like to hear local music. A
number of local TV broadcasts on agricultural methods, livestock rearing, poultry farming and fish farming are highly appreciated in
the rural areas. TV and radio programs in local languages play pivotal role skill-building of the nation. Being most easily understood,
sometimes teachers can use native languages for instructions in the classrooms.