LANGUAGES OF PAKISTAN
Here are different questions with answers from CIE past papers. Go
through these to understand the pattern of answering various questions
in CIE examinations.
Q: What steps to foster the growth of Urdu has the government taken? [4]
ANS: The government has taken steps to foster the growth of Urdu. It is the medium of instructions
in many educational institutions in Pakistan. A dictionary of office terms in Urdu has been published
and steps have been taken to move away from English as the language of administration. Urdu is the
medium for radio and television programmes. Urdu plays and films are very popular. Urdu novels,
poetry, magazines and newspapers are widely read.
Q: Why did Pakistan choose Urdu as its national language in 1947? [7]
ANS: When Pakistan came into existence, there was a problem of selecting the National and official
language. Bengali was the biggest spoken language but Mr. Jinnah choose Urdu as National language.
✓ Perhaps the major reason for Urdu being chosen as National language was the fact that it was so
closely associated with the Pakistan Movement. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan supported it and set had
up Urdu Defense Society. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's school at Aligarh became a center for Urdu
study. Muslim league was formed not only to defend Muslim interests, but also to protect Urdu
was one of its targets.
✓ The Quaid-i-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 of the sub-continent. To tackle with the issue of provincialism was
another factor behind selection of Urdu language 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. Urdu is associated
with Muslim history in India.
✓ Another reason for Urdu being chosen was its high status. Some of the finest early poets such as
Amir Khusro, Mirza Ghalib, Mir Taqi Mir even the last Mughal King, Bahadur shah Zafar wrote
poetry in Urdu. The most valuable literature of Muslims in India is in Urdu. Many religious books,
including the Holy Quran, were translated into Urdu. So it was considered an important language
with a rich literary tradition.
Q: How successful has been the promotion of local languages in Pakistan been since 1947? Give
reasons for your answer. [14]
ANS: Since 1947, the Pakistan government has took strong measures for the development and
promotion of its regional languages, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto and Balochi, though some others like
Brohi, Persian, Kashmiri and Siraiki are also spoken.
Punjabi, which is widely understood in Punjab, Azad Kashmir and few areas of N.W.F.P, has
been promoted by the Govt. through media. Punjabi films, dramas and theatres have been become
very popular. Newspaper, journals and magazines have also been very significant in promoting
Punjabi culture & literature. New poets and writers like Munir Niazi, Ahmad Rahi, S.Kunjahi, Ashfaq
Ahmad, Bano Qudsia and others have produce master pieces of poetry and writings in Punjabi. The
Holy Quran has also been translated into Punjabi by M.Ali Faiq.
Punjabi is taught up to MA level in Punjab University and Punjab Academy has translated and
produced many books in Punjabi. This way round its promotion is quite significant.
Pashto, language spoken in N.W.F.P, has also been given due important in promotion and
development. Peshawar University was established after 3 year of independence where Pashto is
taught up to MA level. Pashto Academy was set up in 1954 which has prepared a well-renowned
dictionary under Maulana A.Qadir. Pashto dramas and films have also gained importance. Pashto
papers, journals and books have also helped Pashto language to promote. New writers & poets have
also added to this contribution by producing classic poetry and stories Pashto typewriter has also
been prepared. Hence Pashto has greatly been promoted over the year. Sindhi, spoken in Sindh,
have also been nourished and nurtured through promotion and development since 1947. Sindhi
literary board was set up in 1948 which had produced many books with coordination of poets like
F.N Bux and G. Allone. Sindhi library in Karachi has helped Sindhi literature spread. Many folk writings
have also been produced. Bazm-e-Talib-ul-Muola have been set up which translates books into
Sindhi. Sindhiology Dept. in Jamshoro University and development & promotion of Sindhi literature
and culture through modern means. Example: TV, radio, newspapers e.t.c.
Balochi language which was at its decline before partition was given special attention for its
promotion. Radio Pak Karachi now also broadcast in Balochi. Quetta TV centre have been producing
marvelous dramas to help, develop and translate many books to Balochi and new poets like Atta Shad
and writers have greatly contributed towards its promotion.
Thus, Pakistan has been very successful in promotion of its local languages. These languages
have developed a lot due to Government policies designed for this purpose. On the other hand, poets
& writers have also aided in this promotion and development.
Q: How successful has Pakistan been in promoting its regional languages? [14]
ANS: Since 1947, the Pakistan government has took strong measures for the development and
promotion of its regional languages, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto and Balochi, though some others like
Brohi, Persian, Kashmiri and Siraiki are also spoken.
Punjabi, which is widely understood in Punjab, Azad Kashmir and few areas of N.W.F.P, has
been promoted by the Govt. through media. Punjabi films, dramas and theatres have been become
very popular. Newspaper, journals and magazines have also been very significant in promoting
Punjabi culture & literature. New poets and writers like Munir Niazi, Ahmad Rahi, S.Kunjahi, Ashfaq
Ahmad, Bano Qudsia and others have produce master pieces of poetry and writings in Punjabi. The
Holy Quran has also been translated into Punjabi by M.Ali Faiq.
Punjabi is taught up to MA level in Punjab University and Punjab Academy has translated and
produced many books in Punjabi. This way round its promotion is quite significant.
Pashto, language spoken in N.W.F.P, has also been given due important in promotion and
development. Peshawar University was established after 3 year of independence where Pashto is
taught up to MA level. Pashto Academy was set up in 1954 which has prepared a well-renowned
dictionary under Maulana A.Qadir. Pashto dramas and films have also gained importance. Pashto
papers, journals and books have also helped Pashto language to promote. New writers & poets have
also added to this contribution by producing classic poetry and stories Pashto typewriter has also
been prepared. Hence Pashto has greatly been promoted over the year. Sindhi, spoken in Sindh,
have also been nourished and nurtured through promotion and development since 1947. Sindhi
literary board was set up in 1948 which had produced many books with coordination of poets like
F.N Bux and G. Allone. Sindhi library in Karachi has helped Sindhi literature spread. Many folk writings
have also been produced. Bazm-e-Talib-ul-Muola have been set up which translates books into
Sindhi. Sindhiology Dept. in Jamshoro University and development & promotion of Sindhi literature
and culture through modern means. Example: TV, radio, newspapers etc.
Balochi language which was at its decline before partition was given special attention for its
promotion. Radio Pak Karachi now also broadcast in Balochi.
Quetta TV centre have been producing marvelous dramas to help, develop and translate many books
to Balochi and new poets like Atta Shad and writers have greatly contributed towards its promotion.
Thus, Pakistan has been very successful in promotion of its regional languages. These languages
have developed a lot due to Government policies designed for this purpose. On the other hand, poets
& writers have also aided in this promotion and development.
Q: The promotion of regional languages in Pakistan between 1947 and 1988 has been more
successful than the promotion of Urdu. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer. [14]
ANS: I agree with the statement that the promotion of regional languages was more successful than
the promotion of Urdu. Four important languages are Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto and Balochi. Soon after
the partition, the government as well as the learned elite in each province made efforts for the
progress of regional languages. In 1948, Sindhi Adabi board was set up and organizations such as
Bazm-e-Talib-ulMuola and Sachal Sarmast Academy were founded. A number of compilations,
translations and works of great Sindhi writers were published. In N.W.F.P, Pashto academy was
founded in 1954 which prepared Pashto dictionary. Pashto literature received great attention after
independence. Several magazines and newspapers are printed in Sindhi & Pashto and have wide
circulation.
Punjabi is an old widely spoken language. Its popularity has been increasing through the media of TV,
radio and films. After independence Punjabi, Sindhi and Pashto languages are taught up to degree
and masters’ level and Ph.D degrees have been awarded for research in these languages. Balochi has
also made progress and magazines are printed in this language.
Urdu is the national language and is the medium of communication connecting all parts of Pakistan.
Pakistan constitution of 1973 clearly states that Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and
arrangements should be made for it being used for official and other purposes within 15 years. But
the civil bureaucracy of the country has not allowed Urdu to replace English for official purposes. The
popularity of English has eclipsed the promotion of Urdu. English continues to be the office and court
language and the language of educated people. English medium schools do not give importance to
Urdu which it deserves as national language. For the promotion of Urdu, Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu,
National Language Authority and Urdu Science College board have done good work. Urdu Science
College was established in 1964 which was given the status of university in 2002.
Therefore, it is correct to say that Urdu have received more attention and promotion than the
promotion of regional languages.
Q: “Urdu was promoted the most than regional languages”. Do you agree or disagree? Give
reasons for your answer. [14]
ANS: I agree with the statement that the Urdu was promoted more than the regional languages. Urdu
carries immense importance for all Pakistan 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 & Hindus. After independence it was felt that the language was the uniting
force behind the nation and the government is committed to using at all levels in society. Urdu is the
national language and is the medium of communication connecting all parts of Pakistan. Pakistan
constitution of 1973 clearly states that Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and arrangements
should be made for it being used for official and other purposes within 15 years.
For the promotion of Urdu, Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu, National Language Authority and Urdu Science
College board have done good work. Urdu Science College was established in 1964 which was given
the status of university in 2002.
Punjabi, which is widely understood in Punjab, Azad Kashmir and few areas of N.W.F.P, has
been promoted by the Govt. through media. Punjabi films, dramas and theatres have been become
very popular. Newspaper, journals and magazines have also been very significant in promoting
Punjabi culture & literature. New poets and writers like Munir Niazi, Ahmad Rahi, S.Kunjahi, Ashfaq
Ahmad, Bano Qudsia and others have produce master pieces of poetry and writings in Punjabi. The
Holy Quran has also been translated into Punjabi by M.Ali Faiq.
Punjabi is taught up to MA level in Punjab University and Punjab Academy has translated and
produced many books in Punjabi. This way round its promotion is quite significant.
Pashto, language spoken in N.W.F.P, has also been given due important in promotion and
development. Peshawar University was established after 3 year of independence where Pashto is
taught up to MA level. Pashto Academy was set up in 1954 which has prepared a well-renowned
dictionary under Maulana A.Qadir. Pashto dramas and films have also gained importance. Pashto
papers, journals and books have also helped Pashto language to promote. New writers & poets have
also added to this contribution by producing classic poetry and stories Pashto typewriter has also
been prepared. Hence Pashto has greatly been promoted over the year.
Sindhi, spoken in Sindh, have also been nourished and nurtured through promotion and
development since 1947. Sindhi literary board was set up in 1948 which had produced many books
with coordination of poets like F.N Bux and G. Allone. Sindhi library in Karachi has helped Sindhi
literature spread. Many folk writings have also been produced. Bazm-e-Talib-ul-Muola have been set
up which translates books into Sindhi. Sindhiology Dept. in Jamshoro University and development &
promotion of Sindhi literature and culture through modern means. Example: TV, radio, newspapers
etc.
Balochi language which was at its decline before partition was given special attention for its
promotion. Radio Pak Karachi now also broadcast in Balochi. Quetta TV center have been producing
marvelous dramas to help, develop and translate many books to Balochi and new poets like Atta Shad
and writers have greatly contributed towards its promotion.