File photo of Sindh Assembly. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution recommending that the Sindh government approach the federal government to declare Sindhi, Punjabi, Balochi and Pashto national languages of Pakistan.
Moving the resolution, Pakistan Muslim League – Functional (PML-F) assembly member Mahtab Akbar Rashdi said that before Partition, the Sindhi language had the status of a national language, which it unfortunately does not hold any more.
She added that Pakistan’s neighboring country India has given 22 languages the status of national languages.
“The government of India has declared even Sindhi a national language, but we are deliberately ignoring it,” Rashidi said.
The members of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supported the resolution.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sikandar Mandhro referred to a resolution moved by his party MNA Nawab Yousuf Talpur in National Assembly some time ago. He said that the resolution was referred to a special committee where it didn’t find much support.
The MQM member Khalid Ahmed suggested that the languages of Hazara and Seraiki people should also be included in the resolution.
Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani was of the view that people are emotionally attached with their mother-tongue, therefore, all regional languages should be given this status without delay.
“During the British rule Sindhi was the official language of the province and it was strictly implemented in all courts and offices. No doubt Urdu is our national language, but the same status must be given to Sindhi and other regional languages,” he added.
Sindh Assembly also adopted a motion to ensure that the Sindhi language must be taught in all private and public schools, and colleges in the province.
Resolution against attacks
Sindh Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution against attacks on mosques, temples, churches, the police force, the Frontier Corps and armed forces. It demanded law-enforcement agencies and the federal government establish the writ of state.
COMMENTS (16)
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Without Urdu there are 4 separate nations living in Pakistan. Sindhi is the language of sindhis, Punjabi is spoken by Punjabis, Pashto by Pashtuns and Balochi by Baloch. Urdu is spoken by Pakistanis. And to anyone who wants to say that Urdu has Indian Origin, think again cause Punjabi has Indian origin, Pashto has Afghan origins, Baluchi has Iranic origins and sindhi has Indian origin as well. This is the stupidest idea ever. So the prime minister when addressing the nation will speak in 4 different languages. And what about other Pakistani Languages such as Saraiki (more people speak saraiki than Balochi), hindko, dari,, brauhi, even farsi. And the largest so called language of Pakistan doesn't even have a script? Don't get me wrong I am half Pashtun, and my best friends have been Sindhis and I have family members who are married to Punjabis but a country cant have 10 national languages, there could only be 1 language that defines the whole country and than on regional level the local languages should be taught. Look at India they got 22 languages and they have 67 independence movements operating right now. The only thing that unites them as a country is hatred for Muslims in general and hatred for Pakistan in particular.
where is Hindko the mother of Punjabi and Siraiki.
nawab yousuf talpur every time great work for pakistan
Bad resolution, this will lead to Muhajirs and Pukthoons in Sindh being forced to learn Sindhi, and isolate Sindh from the rest of Pakistan. PPP and MQM shameless ethnic racists, you lost the elections, now vanish.
People are speaking their mother tongue ( Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Siraiki and Pushto) for thousand of years in their land. How come just Urdu becomes our only language of land, given to us some 60 years back and our own languages become redundant and "Haram" in this land of pure. Come on people, don't be biased against languages of this land. Even colonial powers did not treat local languages, heritage and culture as bad, as done in our country. 95% population's first language is non-Urdu, why not to acknowledge the on-ground facts and stop demonizing local languages and culture. Lets all promote, preserve our culture and languages. Pakistan is for every one of us and non-Urdu speaking also make Pakistan.
It’s good to hear such a great news regarding adaptation of resolution to make 4 provincial languages as national languages. Govt. of Pakistan should officially pass a resolution to give them status of national languages of Pakistan.