The federal information secretary on Friday informed the Supreme Court (SC) that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has approved the enforcement of national language – Urdu in all government events.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja was hearing a case regarding the enforcement of Urdu language.
The information secretary filed a report in the SC on federal government’s behalf saying that the PM has approved the enforcement of Urdu language in all government departments. The report orders the federal institutions to publish their policies in Urdu within three months.
All affairs of the departments will also be published in Urdu along with English, the report states. The federal departments will chalk out the websites’ contents in Urdu as well. The report states that the president, the PM and other government officials will deliver speeches in Urdu.
Justice Khawaja said that Balochistan surpasses other provinces in promotion of regional languages. Local body (LB) elections were also held first in Balochistan and then elsewhere, he added. Justice Khawaja said that Punjabi has “died” in Punjab.
Justice Azmat Sheikh said that according to 1951 census, at least 79 per cent people spoke Punjabi in the province.
Punjab Additional Advocate General said that authorities are in process of adding Punjabi in syllabus however, it would not be a compulsory subject for students.
The court adjourned the hearing till August 22.