Speakers urge using Sindhi in all domains of communication

The 1940 Pakistan Resolution promised provincial autonomy and equal rights to all constituent provinces, but over eight decades later, advocates for Sindhi language rights continue to struggle for the realisation of that vision.

The views were expressed at the launching event of a month-long campaign, 'Sindhi language, national language', at the Sindhi Language Authority(SLA) office in Hyderabad on Friday. "Efforts are still being made to secure national recognition and survival of the Sindhi language," said former Sindh Culture Minister and a PPP leader Sassui Palijo.

She said she would never agree with people who think modern technology has made languages like Sindhi obsolete. For her, the Sindhi language serves as a vital link between present generations and their illustrious past, tracing back to one of the world's most advanced civilizations over 5,000 years ago.

Palijo recalled that during her stint as a senator she had tabled a bill to grant Sindhi the status of a national language but the then federal party did not support the bill. She also brought to notice that in 2010 a high-level committee, led by the SLA, was formed to initiate efforts for preservation of Sindhi and some other languages.

Renowned playwright Noorulhuda Shah underscored the importance of language, highlighting its historical connection to the land and people. "Sindhi is a rich literary and historical language that merits recognition as a national language," she emphasised.

The SLA's head Ishaq Samejo termed the approach of considering any language inferior or superior as 'fallacious'. "A mother can never be inferior," he said, quoting acclaimed Sindhi writer late Ali Baba.

Samejo urged all Pakistanis to unite and demand for declaration of Sindhi, Punjabi, Siraiki, and other languages of Pakistan as the national languages.

He briefed that the objective of the SLA's month-long awareness campaign is to encourage people to speak and write in Sindhi. He observed that wedding cards, visiting cards, signboards, marriage, birth and death certificates, and many other documents are written in English. He urged people to use their mother tongue instead, in order to own and make their language relevant in the present times.

"Parents should speak to their children in Sindhi at home so that the younger generation remains connected to the philosophies of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and Sachal Sarmast."