Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage, Irfan Siddiqui, on Sunday said that the government is working hard to implement national language of Pakistan, Urdu, in various divisions, ministries and provinces.

While addressing “Quami Nifaz-e-Urdu Conference – Pesh Raft and Amli Taqazey” at Aiwan-e-Qaid, organised by Pakistan Quami Zuban Movement (PQZM), he said that Urdu is the language of local customs and traditions of our country and it also played a major role in the independence of Pakistan, hence, its promotion in the country is imperative so that Pakistanis don’t forget its value.

Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Admiral (r) Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey, Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) Chairman Prof Dr Muhammad Qasim Bughio, Dr Fatima Hassan, Prof Saleem Hashmi, Adnan Alam, Fatima Qamar, Advocate Khawaja Kokhab Iqbal, Riaz Karim, Prof Ishtiaq Ahmed, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and Aziz Zafar Azad were also present on the occasion.

Irfan Siddique said that the government is trying different measures for the promotion of Urdu language and its implementation is a top priority. He said 32 special books have been published to promote Urdu language and these books would be provided to various divisions and ministries. He said that under the national language implementation plan, a number of ministries and divisions have also established their websites in Urdu language. The adviser said that his division would provide all possible assistance to various government departments for the training of the officials to implement Urdu.

Irfan Siddiqui appreciated the efforts and initiatives by the PQZM in bringing up the value and importance of Urdu language. It will ultimately pave the way for the implementation of Urdu in the country, he said.

He said Urdu is our national asset and a symbol of unity adding that a ministerial committee has been constituted by the government, headed by Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid.

While speaking on the occasion, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan said that Urdu is a very ‘sweet’ language adding that more emphasis should be given on Urdu in the curriculum for students.

Every language has its own importance and learning of other languages, especially English, is also essential for people, he said. However, this does not mean we should ignore our own language, he added.