ISLAMABAD: The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will hold a national conference here on April 28 and 29 to promote national integrity and cohesion through language and literature. The event is aimed at highlighting significance of language and literature in strengthening bonds of national unity. During the two-day event, the main focus will be on development of six regional languages, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Brahui and Saraiki. It will provide platform to researchers and academicians to give their academic and intellectual input, as how to develop the language and literature as an instrument for national unity. It will support the national efforts promoting peace and harmony among the various ethic and linguistic groups, said Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shahid Siddiqui while presiding over a meeting held to review arrangements for the conference. The event will be attended by scholars, languages’ experts and academicians from all over the country. The AIOU is only university in the country that provides learning facilities in regional languages, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Brahui and Saraiki at the same time. The university extends teaching facility in regional languages at the level of Matric, FA and BA. Besides this, it also offers short courses in Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto and Balochi. Recently it has decided to launch PhD programmes in regional languages.