Chapter 5: REGIONAL

LANGUAGES
How has the Pakistan government promoted the development of Punjabi?
➔ Punjabi is the local language of the province of Punjab, which is the biggest province of
Pakistan with regard to population and development.
➔ It has different dialects in different parts of Punjabi like Saraiki and Potohari, but the basic
language remains the same.
➔ It was a popular language among the Sufi poets who use it for their romantic folk poetry,
which contributed to the popularity of Punjabi.
➔ Some of the famous poets of Punjabi language are Baba Fareed, Shakar Ganj Baksh,
Sultan Bahu, Bhullay Shah, and Waris Shah
➔ Munir Niazi is a famous Punjabi poet of modern times.
➔ After independence steps were taken for the promotion and development of the language
which made it a popular language in other parts of the province.
➔ The government is still making e orts for the progress of Punjabi language and extending
support to those institutions which are striving for its development.
➔ Media in Punjab had its own role to play for the promotion and development of the
language.
➔ Radio, TV, and film promote classical and folk literature.
➔ Punjabi literature has developed greatly as it is being taught as an elective subject in
schools, colleges and up to MA level in Punjab university.
➔ Punjabi songs, poetry, films and theatre are very famous inside and outside Pakistan.

How has the Pakistan government promoted the development of Pashto since 1947?
➔ Pashto is the regional language of the KPK and tribal areas.
➔ Pashto literature received a great boost after independence.
➔ The services rendered by the Pashto poets and writers in the freedom struggle contributed
a great deal towards the promotion of Pashto language.
➔ Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum worked very hard to create political awareness among the
people of KPK.
➔ Some of the well known poets of Pashto language are Khushal Khan Khattak and Rehman
Baba.
➔ Peshawar university was established after three years of independence.
➔ Post graduate classes in Pashto literature were started and it is also taught in schools in
KPK.
➔ Pashto academy for the promotion of Pashto literature was set-up under the supervision
of the government and Maulana Abdul Qadir was appointed as its director.
➔ Pashto academy published a Pashto dictionary.
➔ Pashto channel Khyber is also working for the promotion of Pashto language.
➔ Pashto plays, newspapers, magazines, songs and films are of great fame and importance.
How has the Pakistan government promoted the development of Sindhi since 1947?
➔ Sindhi language is spoken in Sindh.
➔ Sindhi was written in Marwari and Arz Nagri was of writing which was subsequently
changed into Arabic.
➔ With the advent of Arabs in the subcontinent Sindhi changed its form and adopted
maximum words of Arabic and also Persian and Turkish.
➔ After independence steps were taken to promote the language, for example, the Sindhi
Literary Board was set-up in 1948 which has printed many books and magazines in Sindhi
language.
➔ Many books have been published on Sindhi folk literature.
➔ Several newspapers have been published in Sindhi as well.
➔ Several television channels contributed to the development of Sindhi language, which are
presenting plays, dramas, songs, and shows in Sindhi language.
➔ The significance of Sindhi language is that it was the first regional language in which the
Holy Quran was translated.
➔ Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast, Shah Qadir Bux are the eminent personalities of
Sindhi literature.
➔ In 1954, “Bazm-e-Talib-ul-Maula” was set-up, which is rendering meritorious services to
promote Sindhi literature.
➔ Doctor Ali Akbar Drazi established ‘Sarmast Academy' which published several books in
the memory of Sachal Sarmast.
➔ Sindhi became the most developed language since 1947 because it is a compulsory
subject in Sindh schools from 6th to 10th.

How has the Pakistan government promoted the development of Baluchi since 1947?
➔ There are two types of baluchi namely Sulemanki and Makrani.
➔ After partition, Baluchi language received little boost when radio Pakistan Karachi began
its broadcast in Balochi language.
➔ Baluchi programmes are relayed from radio Pakistan Karachi which enhanced the
developmental process of Balochi language.
➔ Quetta television station broadcast programmes in Balochi language.
➔ The Baluchi literary association was set-up for the development of Balochi literature, which
published many magazines and articles in Balochi language.
➔ Some of the most famous literary figures and writers of Balochi languages include Atta
Shad, Azad Jamaldini, Gul Khan Nazir etc.
➔ Some well known poets of Balochi language are Jam Darag etc.
➔ Ishaq Shamim is another famous poet of Balochi language whose poem Dulhan is very
popular.
How has the Pakistan government promoted the development of Urdu since 1947?
➔ It carries immense importance for all Pakistanis since it has been considered to be the
language of all Muslims for 300 years.
➔ It was the language associated with the Pakistan movement throughout its struggle with
the British and the Hindus.
➔ After independence, it was found that the language was the Uniting force behind the
nation and the government is committed to using it at all levels in society.
➔ Quaid-e-Azam was keen to promote Urdu as he saw it as an important unifying force in
the new country.
➔ The translation of Holy Quran and Hadith have been printed in Urdu language.
➔ Urdu is the medium of instruction in many educational institutions of Pakistan.
➔ Urdu literature, political science, history, Islamic studies and other subjects are taught up
to the M.A.N in the Urdu language.
➔ The government has published a dictionary containing Urdu terminologies.
➔ Urdu is the medium for radio and television programmes.
➔ Urdu plays and films are very popular.
➔Urdu novels, poetry, magazines and newspapers such as The Daily Jung are widely read