SC orders immediate implementation of Urdu as official language

Apex court issues nine guidelines for making Urdu the official language


Web Desk September 08, 2015
PHOTO: FILE

The Supreme Court ordered on Tuesday the implementation of Urdu as the official language at all government departments, Express News reported.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Jawwad S Khawaja announced its judgment over petitions seeking to adopt Urdu as the official language.

Calling for an immediate implementation of Article 251, the Supreme Court issued nine guidelines for making Urdu the official language.

Read: Pakistan to replace English with Urdu as official language

According to Article 251, the national language of Pakistan is Urdu and arrangements shall be made for it being used for official and other purposes within fifteen years from the commencing day.

“Subject to clause (1), English language may be used for official purposes until arrangements are made for its replacement by Urdu,” the article further states.

Passed in 1973, the Constitution of Pakistan under Article 251 specifies, “Without prejudice to the status of the national language, a provincial assembly may by law prescribe measures for the teaching, promotion and use of a provincial language in addition to the national language.”

In July this year, Pakistan confirmed a long-running rumour of dropping English as its official language and switching to its mother tongue, Urdu.

Read: National language: Universities asked to use Urdu as official language

On September 6, the Ministry of Education and Professional Training and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) instructed all public and private sector universities to use Urdu as official language. They have also been directed to translate their respective Acts, Statutes and websites into Urdu from English.

The HEC has asked higher education institutions across the country to implement the orders, originally issued by the president, until September 15.

COMMENTS (22)

Ali | 8 years ago | Reply @Human They teach english just as a language. All their science books are in their own languages in Germany,Japan,Korea etc and when the leaders of these countries visit any other country, they always have a translator with them, they never speak english. If you want to go to Germany for higher studies, you have to learn german first. There are some private institutes which offer courses in english but vast majority of universities offer courses in German only. English aik barrier hai, SC ka faisla bilkul sahi hai, pakistan ko ghulami ki soch badal leni chahiye agar agay barhna hai to.
ali tonio | 8 years ago | Reply This is another step towards stone-age.we'll no more be part of global village.this wd mean the future generations will not be able to understand english.ask those nations who cant speak english when they see a foreigner in their country they beg him to teach few words of english so that they feel connected to the world.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ