Giving priority: Autonomous status demanded for language department

Renaming of National Language Authority discussed by literary figures.

ISLAMABAD:

With the renaming of the National Language Authority to National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) a few days ago, the institution has lost its status as an autonomous government body.

This was the view of literary figures and intellectuals, who got together on Thursday to discuss the change and the implications of being attached with a ministry.

At the seminar titled “National language: Identity and Unity”, speakers unanimously declared that it was in the best interest  of promoting Pakistan’s literature and languages if the institution’s autonomous status was reinstated.

While agreeing with others on the importance of restoring NLPD’s autonomy, National Heritage and Integration Minister Samina Ghurki and additional secretary Asif Ghafoor assured members they would do everything in their power to ensure that NLA was reinstated through an act of parliament.

Ghurki asked NLPD Director General Anwar Ahmed to make a proposal after consulting the advisory board, so she could forward it to parliament.

Designations of senior administrative positions at NLPD have been changed to director general and executive directors.

The culture and heritage ministry had approved NLPD’s advisory board earlier this week.

Elevating the status of Urdu to that of a national language, should not imply that other languages will be denied the space to prosper, stated Dr Uzma Farman, while expressing her views at the seminar.

“An independent body will give more importance to regional languages and appreciate diversity,” said Shah Muhammad, a language specialist from Balochistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2012.