Cultural Pursuits: Urdu poet laments the decline of the language

Iftikhar Arif underlines the need for a definite political vision to promote Pakistan’s national language..

KARACHI:


The former chairman of the National Language Authority and Academy of Letters, Iftikhar Arif, has underlined the need for a definite political vision to promote Pakistan’s national language.


He was speaking at an event organised by the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation on Saturday.

Arif, an Urdu poet, said that poor use of Urdu in the media and in schools, is damaging the language.


Although he lamented the decline of Urdu, he agreed that the importance of the English language in Pakistan’s economic and political activity cannot be underestimated.

He stressed that all languages of Pakistan must be supported so that they are promoted on a national level. It is important that no language feels like it’s being side-stepped, Arif said at the event.

He also recited selections from his poetry before a packed audience.

The event was organised by the institute’s Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23rd, 2012.
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