'Government working on implementation of Urdu as national language'

ISLAMABAD - Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui on Sunday said the government is seriously working on making the national language Urdu the functional language in various Divisions and Ministries including the provinces, but lamented the bureaucracy's lack of enthusiasm in this regard.

Addressing “Quami Nifaz-e-Urdu Conference – Pesh Raft and Amli Taqazey” at Aewan-e-Qaid, organized by Pakistan Quami Zuban Movement (PQZM), he said Urdu was the language of local customs, traditions and the freedom movement of 1947.

He said the adoption of Urdu in the country was imperative to promote it in all spheres of national life.

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Admiral (R) Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey, Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) Prof. Dr. Muhammad Qasim Bughio, Dr. Fatima Hassan, Prof. Saleem Hashmi, Adnan Alam, Fatima Qamar, Khwaja Kokhab Iqbal Advocate, Riaz Karim, Prof. Ishtiaq Ahmed, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and Aziz Zafar Azad were also present on the occasion.

Irfan Siddiqui said the government was taking different steps and measures for the promotion of Urdu language and its implementation in government offices was a top priority in this regard.

He said 32 special books had been published for the implementation of Urdu language, adding that these books would be provided to various Divisions and Ministries.

He said a number of Ministries and Divisions had already established their websites in Urdu language under the
national language implementation plan.

The adviser said his Division would provide all possible assistance to various government departments for the training of the officials to implement Urdu.

“It is a good sign that concerned institutions have started efforts with a new thinking for the promotion of Urdu,” he added.

Siddiqui appreciated the efforts and initiatives by the PQZM in keeping and bringing up the value and importance of Urdu language.

He said it will ultimately pave the way for the implementation of Urdu in the country. “Urdu is our national
asset and a symbol of unity,” he added.

He said a ministerial committee had been constituted by the government, headed by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid.

He said these initiatives would make it possible to realize the objectives of implementing Urdu as an official
language in the country.

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan also spoke on the occasion. He said that Urdu is very ‘sweet’ language, adding that it should
be included in the education curriculum for students.

He said every language has its own importance and learning of other languages, specially English, is also
essential for people.

He said: “Urdu is our national language and people can understand and read it across the country”.