URDU- NATIONAL LANGUAGE

Introduction

Language is the only media by which one can express his ideas and
feelings. It plays a vital role in building the character of an individual as
well as a nation. Languages bring closer each other and it creates a sense
of harmony among the people.

Urdu - National Language of Pakistan

After independence Quaid-e-Azam said in clear cut words that the National
Language of Pakistan would be Urdu. He said

Let me make it clear that the National Language of Pakistan is going to be

Urdu and no other language. Without one state language no nation can
remain tied up solidly together.

Evolution of Urdu

Urdu evolved over a period of centuried by cultural between local people

of north of Sub Continent and Muslims of Arabia, Iran and Turkey. The base
of this language is Prakrit, an Aryan language. The script of Urdu is
modified form of Persian. Urdu is a word of Turkish language and its literal
meaning is camp.

Progress of Urdu Language

Due to the efforts of poets and writers during different periods of history.
Urdu progressed well and reached almost all parts of the sub-continent in
the 16th Century. The Muslims, from time to time, brought about changes
and amendments in it to make it more simple and easy to understand
according to their needs and requirements.

After the emergence of Pakistan, a great deal of work has been done for
the progress of Urdu language. The Urdu language has crossed its
evolutionary stages after the Independence and is now on its way to the
road of progress and development. Each Pakistani feels proud of speaking,
reading and writing Urdu. Most of our national leaders, while visiting other
countries, deliver their speeches in Urdu language which enhances its
prestige on the International level. Several Committees have been formed
for the level. Being the national language of the country, it is the binding
force between different parts of Pakistan.

Qualities of Urdu

1. Great Power of Assimilation

The splendour of Urdu is Turkish and its charm is Persian in its base. The
vitality of Urdu lies in its ability to adopt words from other languages in
such a way as if they originally belonged to it. The chief reason for its
country wide popularity was its power of Assimilation. According to Sir
Syed Ahmed Khan

Still now Urdu has great affinity for many other words and ideas which
increases its beauty.

2. Source of National Identity

National language is the identity of a nation. When we are abroad we are

identified as Pakistani because of our national language. That is why,
every nation gives out respect and importance to national language.

Rich Treasure of Prose and Poetry

The Urdu language possesses a very valuable treasure of poetry and

prose. The poets and writers have contributed their most in its
development. Maulana Shibli Nomani, Maulana Hali, Deputy Nazir Ahmed,
Mirza Ghalib, Amir Khusro and many others adopted this language in their
poetry and writings. Sir Syed wrote for the re-awakening of the Muslims of
Sub Continent. According to Abdul Haque

It is Sir Syed due to whom Urdu has made such a great progress within a
period of only one century.

Urdu - An Important Part of Our Cultural Heritage

Urdu grew in popularity and by the later Mughal Period and the advent of
the British, it had been adopted by the Muslims and the Hindus alike. It
would not be wrong to say if it is said that:

Urdu is a part of our Cultural Heritage

Importance of Urdu in National Life

Certain points which express the importance of Urdu in national life are
given below:

1. Means of Brotherhood and Unity

People of Pakistan are one nation, therefore their thinking, aims and
objectives are common. Their progress and prosperity depends upon their
unity and brotherhood. An important factor for achieving this unity and
brotherhood is Urdu.

2. Source of Expression

Urdu has become a source of expression, feeling, thoughts and aspiration.

People of two different areas can easily understood each other ideas and
thoughts by Urdu.
3. Means of Communication and Co-ordination

Urdu serves as a means of communication and is a binding force between

all the four province of Pakistan. People living in different provinces realize
that in spite of speaking different languages, they are joined together by
one national language which is the heritage of all.

4. Medium of Instruction

Urdu language is the medium of instruction in most of the educational

instituations of Pakistan. History, Islamic Studies, Political Science and
other subjects are taught upto M.A level in Urdu. Lectures on Islamic
education and religion are also delivered in Urdu throughout Pakistan.

Conclusion

Being the national language of the country it is the binding force in

different parts of Pakistan. The officers have adopted Urdu language in
their official work and the Government has published a dictionary
contained Urdu terms for the office work. The Urdu Development Board
and "Anjuman-e-Taraqi-e-Urdu" are trying to give Urdu a place in society
and it is hope that Urdu would find its place in society within short period
of time.

REGIONAL LANGUAGES OF PAKISTAN

Pakistan is a multi-lingual country. No less than twenty-four languages and

dialects are spoken by the people of Pakistan, but mainly include five
regional languages Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Pushto, Brahvi and Kashmiri.
These languages are rich in literature, poetry, folksongs and spiritual
sayings of their respective saints and contribute greatly to the culture of
Pakistan.

The regional languages though distinct from one another in their forms,
dialects and expressions of thoughts have several common factors in
them. They cultivate in them love, respect and a firm adherence to the
Pakistan Ideology. The regional languages of Pakistan are:

1. Punjabi

Punjabi is the local language of the province of the Punjab which is the
biggest province of Pakistan with regard to population and development. It
has its links with the Aryan language Prakrit. Before partition it was
spoken in Delhi, Dhirpur, Peshawar and Jammu too. However as time
rolled on the vocabulary of Punjabi language became a mixture of Persian,
Arabic and Turkish words. It has different dialects in different parts of
Punjabi like Saraiki and Potohari but the basic language remains the same.

Various Names

Punjabi is a very simple language and easy to understand. It was given

various names during different periods of history. Famous historian
Masoodi called it Multani while Al-Beruni used the name of Al-Hindi for it.
The famous Sikh religious leader Baba Guru Nanak gave it the name of
Zaban-e-Jattan. In the NWFP it was known as Hindko. In the NWFP it was
known as Hindko. Hafiz Barkhurdar was the first person to use the name
of Punjabi for this language in the first half of 17th century in his book
entitled Muftah-ul-Fiqah. Maulvi Kamal-ud-Din also used this name for this
language in his selected works.

Various forms of Lyric and Narrative Poetry

Punjabi is rich in mystical and romantic poetry. The highly imaginative

and artistic exquisite literature, mostly in verse has two forms one is "Lyric
Poetry" which includes Bait, Kafi, Si-harfi, Bara Mah and Satwara the other
one i "Narrative Poetry" which is composed of various rhythms and
meters. Examples are Qissa Noor Namah, Gulzar, Jang Nama and Vaar.

Famous Punjabi Poets

Some of the famous poets of Punjabi language are:

* Baba Farid Shakar Ganj Baksh

* Sheikh Ibrahim Farid Shani

* Madholal Hussein

* Sultan Bahu

* Bullay Shah

* Ali Haider

* Waris Shah

Progress of Punjabi Language

Before partition Punjabi was spoken and understood in the eastern part of
the Punjab. After Independence concrete steps were taken for the
promotion and development of this language which made it a popular
language in other parts of the province. The Government is still making
efforts for the progress of Punjabi language and extending support to
those institutions which are striving for its development. A present the
Punjabi literature is taugth upto M.A. level in Pakistan.

2. Sindhi

Sindhi is one of the important regional languages of Pakistan. It appears

that Sindhi was spoken in the Indus Delta from time immemorial. It is said
that the language of the people of Moen-jo-Daro contained elements of
the present Sindhi language.

The origin of this language is not exactly known. However travelers like Al-
Beruni have told us about the original script of the language. "Chach
Nama" being an authentic document proves that the dialect of the Sindhi
language was the same in the 12th century, as it is today. With the advent
and influence of Arabs in the Sub Continent Sindhi changed its form and
adopted maximum words of Arabic and also of Persian and Turkish.

Way of Writing

In the beginning Sindhi was written in "Marwari" and "Arz Nagari"' way of
writing. With the advent and influence of Arabs in the subcontinent this
way of writing was subsequently changed into Arabic and adopted
maximum words of Arabic and also of Persian and Turkish.

Steps Taken to Develop Sindhi

Various steps have been taken to develop Urdu. Organizations like "Sindhi
Literacy Board" and "Bazm-e-Talib-ul-Maula" etc were set up. Several
newspapers published in Sindhi, such as Ibrat, Naw-i-Sind and Khadim-I-
Watan besides a number of Weeklies.

Famous Sindhi Poets

Some of famous Sindhi Poets are

* Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai

* Sachal Sarmast

* Makhdoom Noor

* Shah Inayat
* Bedil

* Sabit Ali Shah

* Kazi Kazah

3. Balochi

Balochi is the regional language of Balochistan. It is the least developed of

all the regional languages. It was spread by Balochi tribal migrated from
Iran.

The history of Balochi literature may be divided into four periods:

1. Early Medieval Period - 1430 to 1600

2. Later Medieval Period - 1600 to 1850

3. Modern Period - 1850 to 1930

4. Contemporary Period - 1930 up to date

Literature produced by earlier poets has no record as it is preserved

traditionally in the memories of the people. No newspapers or books were
published in Balochi up till 1940. After partition, however Balochi literature
received a little boost due to the efforts made by many associations and
by the establishment of T.V stations. At present, Balochi literature is on
the road to development.

Types of Balochi

There are two types of Balochi namely:

1. Sulemani

2. Makrani

Famous Literacy Figures and Poets of Balochi

Some of the most literacy figures are:

* Azad Jamaldini

* Ulfat Naseem

* Abdul Qadir Shahwani

* Malik Mohammad Ramzan

* Mir Aaqil Maingal

Well known poets of Balochi language are

* Jam Darag

* Shah Murid

* Shahdad

Progress of Balochi Language

The Balochi literature was on the verge of decline before partition. After
partition, however it received little boost when Radio Pakistan, Karachi
began its broadcast in Balochi language. Balochi programmes were
relayed from Radio Pakistan Karachi which enhanced the developmental
process of Balochi language.

Balochi Literary Association

The Balochi literary Association was set up which published many

magazines and articles in Balochi language. A weekly magazine known as
"Nan Kessan" was published. A monthly known as "Olassis" was also
published.

Quetta Television Station

With the establishment of Quetta Television Station the Balochi language

has received great fillip. Atta Shah is a famous Balochi poet of Pakistan.
Ishaq Shamim is another famous poet of Balochi language whose poem
"Dulhan" is very popular. The renowned politician Gul Khan Naseer is also
considered a good poet of Balochi language. Balochi prose has also
developed a great deal after partition. Translation of the Bible has also
been published in Balochi language.

4. Pushto

Pushto is the regional language of the N.W.F.P and tribal areas. It belongs
to the East Iranian group of languages and contains many Persian, Arabic,
Greek and Pehlevi words.

Famous Pushto Poets

Some of the well known poets of Pushto language are:

* Amir Karoro
* Khushal Khan Khatak

* Rehman Baba

* Sher Shah Soori

* Saif ullah

* Kazim Kazim

Steps Taken to Develop Pushto

Although Pushto is an old language but its literature is comparatively new

one. After independence Pushto literature received a great boost.

The services rendered by the Pushto poets and writers in the freedom
struggle, in fact contributed a great deal towards the promotion of Pushto
literature.

Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum worked very hard to create political awareness

in the people of N.W.F.P. The Islamic College, Peshawar which became the
citadel of freedom movement in N.W.F.P was established because of his
dedicated services. Peshawar University was established after three years
of Independence.

An academy for the promotion of Pushto literature was set up under the
supervision of the Government. The Pushto academy was set up in 1954
and Maulana Abdul Qadir (Alig) was appointed as its Director. This
academy prepared Pushto dictionary.

Conclusion
The regional languages of Pakistan - Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Pushto,
Brahvi are the most modern Pakistani languages. The have several
common feature and their literature bears the same eternal message for
mankind. Government has been doing its best to develop the regional
languages.