Experts discuss role of Urdu language in Pakistan Movement
The National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) on Friday organised a seminar on "The role of Urdu Language in Pakistan Movement" in connection with Pakistan National Day celebrations to be held today.
Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, while Dr Riaz Ahmed, former Director National Institute of Historical Cultural Research, Quaid e Azam University, Islamabad was the keynote speaker on the occasion.
The speakers at the seminar highlighted the importance and role of the Urdu Language and said that it wouldn't be unjustified to say that the Urdu language and the two-nation theory were inevitably indispensable to each other. Regarding that, before the establishment of Pakistan, the Muslims of the subcontinent participated with great vigour with a conviction for Urdu language as their national language despite having others and thus made it possible to accomplish the achievement of Pakistan, they added.
The speakers further said that the Urdu language not only emerged as a symbol of Muslim unity during the Pakistan Movement but it was also established that it had all the traits to be a powerful factor in affirming the need for a separate state for Muslims in Indo-Pak subcontinent where they could be free to lead their lives according to their religion and culture.
NLPD Director General Dr Saleem Mazhar said that Urdu is a major language in the world. Today, the need of the hour is that Pakistan should utilise its resources to develop and nourish the national language, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2024.