HISTORY
NATIONAL & REGIONAL LANGUAGES
There are four regional languages i.e. Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi and Pushto
Punjabi Language:-
Punjabi is the regional language of Punjab.
Development of Punjabi since 1947
● Punjabi is the local language of Punjab. It was a popular language among the Sufi
poets who used it for their romantic folk poetry_ contributed to the popularity of
Punjabi.
● After independence steps were taken for the promotion and development of the
language in other parts of the province. The Government have ensured its
development by giving support to those institutions that are using it.
● Radio, TV and film promoting classical and folk literature as a result.
● Punjabi theatre popular.
● Novels, short stories and dramas have been published in the Punjabi.
● books on a wide variety of academic subjects such as law, medicine, history and
philosophy have been published in it.
● It is taught in Universities e.g. University of Punjab up to post graduate level, also
MPhil and Ph.D. degrees are offered.
● Punjabi is offered in CSS and PCS Exams as a subject.
● Ustad Daman, Ahmad Rahi, Munir Niazi and Sharif Kunjahi are the major
exponents of a new wave of Punjabi writing.
● Translations of the Holy Quran rendered by Muhammad Ali Faiq.
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Punjabi Mystic/Sufi poets
● Bullae Shah ● Khawaja Ghulam Farid
● Sultan Bahu ● Shah Lal Hussain (was the first sufi
poet who devotional kafis)
● Baba Farid Ganjshakar, Hafiz
Barkhudar
Punjabi Writers (new wave of Punjabi Writing)
● Munir Niazi ● Sharif Kunjahi
● Ahmad Rahi ● Ashfaq Ahmad
● Ustad Daman
Magazines publish in Punjabi
● Lahrain ● Jang Nama (newspaper)
● Punjabi Adab ● Soch Vichar..
Sindhi Language: -
Sindhi is the regional language of Sindh. It was written in ‘Marwari’ and ‘Arz Nagari’
script but slowly its writing was changed into Arabic script, now many Arabic words
are found in Sindhi.
Development of Sindhi since 1947
● 1948 Sindhi Literary Board set up ● 1954 Bazm-e-Talib-ul-Muala set up
● Folk literature books written ● Sarmast academy established in
memory of Sachal Sarmast
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● Sindhiology department set up at ● It is the language of media as well.
Sindh University Jamshoro Karachi radio and television station
as well many Sindhi Channels are
● After riots of 1972 government also promoting Sindhi Language
guaranteed special importance of
the language. It is taught as a ● I.D cards printed in Sindhi
subject in schools, college and at Language for Sindhis
University level in Sindh
● Holy Quran published in Sindhi
Language
Sindhi Poets and Writers
● Shah Abdul Latif Bhaitti ● Shah Abdul Karim (called ‘morning
star of Sindhi poetry
● Sachal Sarmast
● Mansoor Hallaj (introduced ghazal
● Lal Shahbaz Qalander in Sindhi ,he also wrote Marsia,
dohas and Kafis
● Makhdum Nuh
● Mirza Qalich Baig(wrote and
translated about 400 books on
● Abdul Wasey
poetry, novel, history, economics,
politics and science, he is called
● Qazi Qazin father of modern Sindhi prose)
Sindhi Newspapers Sindhi magazines
● Kawish ● Indus Magazine
● Nawa-e-Sindh ● Mehran
● Qainat ● Ibrat
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Pashto Language: -
Pashto is the regional language of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Tribal areas and
the northern areas of Balochistan.
Development of Pashto Since 1947
● Pashto literature was boosted after ● Post graduate classes in Pashto
independence since the poets had literature have been established at
contributed a great deal to the University level in KPK
freedom struggle.
● Khushal Khan Khattak library was
● After independence Peshawar opened
University was established which
became the center of the promotion ● Pashto has also been promoted
of Pashto Language through Peshawar radio and
television stations which broadcast
● In 1954 Pashto academy was programme in the language as well
established which has printed and as Pashto channels e.g. Khyber are
published many books also playing their role
● A widely accepted Pashto dictionary
was prepared which have made easy
to understand the language
Role of Pashto in the Independence Movement
● Pashto literature played a very ● His work was the driving force
important part in creating behind setting up the Islamia
opposition to British rule and in the College in Peshawar
movement for Independence
● Islamia college, hub of literary
● Sahibzada Abdul Qayum worked activities. It helped foster unity and
tirelessly to increase the political became center of the freedom
awareness of the people of the movement in KPK
former KPK
Names of contemporary writers and poets
-Daad Muhammad Diisoz -Kakaji Snober -Khushal Khan Khattak
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Pashto Magazines
-Sarhad -Pukhtoon
Pashto Newspapers
Wahdat and Khabroona are dailies from Peshawar
Freedom Movement Literature Writers and poets
-Allah Baksh Yousifi - Muhammad Yousaf Kakakhal
Balochi Language:-
Balochi is the regional language of Balochistan. There are two main kinds of Balochi
‘Sulemanki’ and ‘Mekrani’
Development of Balochi Since 1947
● Radio Pakistan Karachi broadcasts ● Development of Balochi literature
in Balochi writers and poets e.g. Atta Shad,
Ishq Shamin, Gul Khan Nazir and
● Balochi Literary Association set up, Azad Jamal Din
weekly and monthly magazines
published ● Balochistan University at Quetta
was set up where there is a separate
● Quetta TV station broadcasts in Balochi study section located and
Baloch Balochi is taught as a subject.
Balochi Poets and Writers
- Notable poets are Atta Shad & Ishaq Shamin
- Famous writers are Gul Khan Nazir and Azad Jamal Din.
-Maulvi Hazoor Buksh and Maulana M Umer enriched Balochi literature & also
translated the Holy Quran in Balochi Language.
- Pakistan Bible Society had also translated the Holy Bible in Balochi language.
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Balochi Newspapers
-Al-Fajaar -Zamana -Bakhabar -monthly magazine “Balochi” was also
started by Azad Jamal Din
Urdu Language’s Promotional Steps:
-Declared as National Language of Pakistan by Quaid i Azam
- Pakistan’s constitutions are committed to fully switchover to Urdu although much of
the official work continues in English
-Government has published a dictionary containing Urdu terminology for the office
work.
-means of instruction in educational institutes & means of communication throughout
Pakistan
-Government has established many organizations for the development of Urdu, e.g.
“Urdu Literary Board” prints & publishes books, magazines etc. in Urdu language
-Urdu Science Academy was also set up which aimed to provide advanced education
in science and technology in Urdu language.
-Judiciary has adopted Urdu, lawyers present their cases in Urdu & judges announce
their decisions & judgements in Urdu
- “President’s Pride of Performance Award” & “Adamjee Award” are given annually
to the writers & poets for their literary services –
“International Urdu Conference” is also conducted annually to acknowledge the
literary endeavors of the writers & poets
-Allama Iqbal is our national poet so “Iqbal Day” is celebrated annually in the
memory of Allama Iqbal, to give tribute to his motivational poetry which had
awakened the Muslims of the Subcontinent from the deep slumber.
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