No language comes into existence on its own; every language has its own history and culture. Take Saraiki for example. It is an Indo-Aryan language with its own history and associated culture, spoken in South Punjab as well as in parts of Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. According to the 2023 census, about 28.8 million people in Pakistan speak Saraiki. This language is often compared with Punjabi and referred to as a dialect of Punjabi, which is not true; it has its own distinct history. Its writing system is also derived from the Persian-Arabic script, with some additional letters added specifically for this language.
Punjabi is the most widely spoken language in Pakistan, whereas Urdu, which is the national language of Pakistan, according to the 2023 census, is spoken as a first language only by about nine per cent of the population.
Although the number of Saraiki speakers is smaller than that of Punjabi and Urdu speakers, they are often not treated with respect. Saraiki speakers are frequently considered inferior or illiterate. Yet, the language holds cultural and spiritual significance, as it is considered to be the language of saints, with many Sufis using it to promote the teachings of Islam.
Therefore, we should not be quick to assume a person’s intellect on the basis of their language. The fact is, if we ourselves do not value our language and culture, no one else will either. And what will happen in the end? They will disappear. Whether it is our language or our culture — be it Pashto, Balochi, Kashmiri or Saraiki — it is our duty to respect it, not to mock it and not to allow others to mock it either.
Esha Anmol
Multan
