Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will hold a national conference on April 28-29 to promote national integrity and cohesion through language and literature, the university said in a press release issued on Sunday.

The programme is aimed at highlighting significance of language and literature in strengthening bonds of national unity.

During the two-day event the main focus would be on development of six regional languages, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Brahui and Saraiki.

It would also provide a 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 the conference’s arrangements.

The event will be attended by scholars, language experts and academicians from all over the country.

The AIOU is the 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, F.A and B.A.

Besides this, it also offers short courses in Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto and Balochi. Recently it has decided to launch PhD program in regional languages.

Dr Shahid Siddiqui further said the University through educational pursuits fulfills it national responsibility to influence the people’s minds to adopt positive and constructive approaches in the nation-building task.

The event is being organised by the University’s department of Pakistani Languages.