SPECIAL REPORTOpinion & AnalysisOpinionNational Language
The Future of Urdu in Pakistan: A National Language or Merely a Constitutional Promise?
After the creation of Pakistan, declaring Urdu the national language was not merely an administrative decision.
Urdu is not merely a language; it is an important expression of the centuries-old civilisation, culture, intellectual traditions, and shared social life of the Indian subcontinent. The invaluable contributions it has made to poetry, literature, journalism, history, philosophy, religion, politics, and the expression of human emotions form an integral part of our cultural identity. The breadth of Urdu can be gauged from the fact that it possesses a rich literary heritage while also having an extraordinary ability to reflect the feelings, problems, and everyday experiences of ordinary people. Yet, the present state of Urdu in Pakistan raises a fundamental question: Has our national language been granted the status promised to it by the Constitution of Pakistan, or does Urdu remain confined to official announcements, speeches, and political promises?
After the creation of Pakistan, declaring Urdu the national language was not merely an administrative decision. It was closely linked to the ideals of national unity, mutual communication, and a shared identity. Article 251 of the Constitution of 1973 explicitly declares Urdu to be the national language of Pakistan and stipulates that arrangements must be made for its use for official and other purposes within fifteen years. This constitutional directive required the gradual introduction of Urdu across the official administrative system, legislation, government correspondence, public services, and various fields of education. Yet, more than five decades later, the question remains as pressing as ever: Why has this constitutional provision not been fully and effectively implemented?
This situation reflects not merely administrative negligence but also the gap between constitutional promises and the practical exercise of governance.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan’s judgment of September 8, 2015, holds exceptional significance in the effort to establish Urdu as the official language. In its judgment, the Court directed the federal government and relevant institutions to take measures to implement Article 251 of the Constitution. It emphasised the importance of using Urdu in official affairs, translating laws into Urdu, making government websites accessible in the language, and providing government information to the public in Urdu.
The judgment serves as a reminder that the constitutional status of a language is not merely symbolic; giving it practical effect is a responsibility of the state. The question is this: If the highest court in the country has already directed the authorities to fulfil this constitutional obligation, why has effective implementation continued to be delayed?
Sources
- SourceShah Waliullah Junaidi
