The federal government told the Supreme Court on Friday that the prime minister had issued directives to grant official status to Urdu language, after which the president, the prime minister, federal and provincial ministers, and government employees will deliver speeches in Urdu — whether inside or outside the country.Earlier, the federal government had asked heads of departments to implement a cabinet decision to gradually introduce Urdu as the official language.According to a circular, heads of government departments have also been asked to propose ways through which Urdu could replace English as the official language. It is also said that all government or semi-government organisations are working under the federation would translate their policies, by-laws and all kinds of forms into Urdu, which will appear alongside with English versions within the next three months. They will also develop their web portals in Urdu.Further, the report notes that the government will affix names of all public places, including courts, police stations, hospitals, parks, educational institutions and banks in Urdu for the information of people within the prescribed time. All related signboards will also be fixed in Urdu.Additionally, tests for basic pay scales 1-16 by the National Testing Service will be administered in Urdu. Though no formal orders have so far been received by Ministries and departments, but the Federal Government enumerated before the apex court the measures being taken to promote Urdu as official language like making it mandatory for government leaders to deliver their speeches in Urdu, translation of all forms in national language and issuance of utility bills in Urdu. It is yet to be seen to what extent the ‘short term strategy’ for enforcement of Urdu as official language is translated into reality and what the Government has in its mind about total conversion of the English-based governmental system into the national language but on the face of it, it seems, for the first time, genuine measures are being initiated to realize the objective. According to 1973 Constitution, Urdu was to become official language within fifteen years of commencing day (of the Constitution), which meant arrangements should have been completed by 1988 for implementation of the relevant provision but regrettably the successive governments breached this provision brazenly. Regrettably, Urdu was meted out step-motherly treatment and English was glorified in a typical display of salve mentality that could not delink itself from English and Englishman. On the other hand With less than ten percent of the population being fluent in Urdu, this change will be appreciated by the applicants who face problems due to the great divide between Urdu and English mediums of teaching. In order to reach out to the masses at the grassroots level, it was pertinent that the government adopted the official language to get their message across.It may be a difficult change to adjust to, but for the marginalised population who consider Pakistan a country belonging only to the ruling elite, this will be a step in the right direction. Apart from this teething problem, there is one part of the policy that may not be too politically pragmatic. On the one hand the government has stated that correspondence with other countries and competitive examinations like the CSS will be in English, seemingly cognisant of the fact that English is essential for communication and competition. Though the decision is welcoming and positive sign for Urdu language, it should not be forgotten that Pakistan is not a superpower like China that can dictate foreign policy on its own terms, nor it is an Arab state surrounded by many other countries where our language is understood. Therefore Pakistan should should reconsider its compulsory use at international forums. It is therefore pertinent to keep English as a language to address the international community
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