The Supreme Court (SC) has given the federation and provinces time until May 20, 2015 to declare Urdu the official language for the promotion and implementation of mother tongues in the provinces.
A three-member SC bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja took up the case for hearing Wednesday.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked, “42 years have elapsed and the constitution could not be implemented with reference to the Urdu issue. If the government cannot uphold the law itself then it has no moral authority to get people to follow it either. We and the government receive our salaries out of the hard earned money of the people, and we too need to adhere to the constitution.”
“We are independent to the extent of papers and in fact we still stand subjugated. Who will render the account of the past 42 years? Judges and the prime minister (PM) have taken an oath to uphold the constitution and implement the same. We cannot give two weeks time. The matter of declaring Urdu the official language is not like an optional subject that it is adopted if we feel like it, or is left if we don’t feel like it. Those, including judges, who understand English, are far less in number. 45 per cent of the community spends half of its life trying to understand English. Urdu is the language of coordination,” he further said.
Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed remarked, “Urdu cannot be implemented without us working on it. English cannot be left out completely or we might become illiterate. Provinces should also ensure implementation of constitution. When the Britons implemented English in Lahore then 97 per cent of the population was rendered illiterate due to a new language.”
Kokab Iqbal appeared before the court during the course of hearing of the case.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked, “Not paying heed to the constitution is the biggest symbol of subjugation. We came to know in 1947 that we have got independence but it does not seem so today.”
Justice Khawaja remarked, “Three proposals were given in 1983. 33 years have passed and nothing has been done about them so far. Democracy is being run through the bureaucracy.”
Attorney general (AG) said that the information secretary is responsible for the matter. Then the information secretary said that recommendations were evolved in 2005.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked, “There is a limit to lawlessness. A law officer is standing there helpless. Don’t make fun of the constitution. The federation is supposed to promote the national language and provinces are meant to promote provincial languages. Tell us whether the federation is bound to adhere to the constitution or not.”
At this, the information secretary sought more time.
The court said, “Give us in writing that you are not bound to adhere to the constitution. We were subjugated and we became liberated to the extent of papers. In fact our subjugation is not only continuing but also it has increased.”
The court directed the AG to assist it in constitutional matters. The AG said he himself reviews the matter.
Justice Azmat remarked, “The Punjabi language was killed in Punjab. Provinces have to implement this as well. The mother tongue cannot be slaughtered.”
All the provinces were directed to appear on next hearing. The hearing will now take place on May 20.