Efforts by Punjab Government to Include Punjabi Language in Syllabus

Ejaz Alam Augustine, Punjab's Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs, stated on Monday that the government will make special efforts to integrate the Punjabi language in the curriculum.

The minister said that all possible measures will be taken to make Punjabi language part of the syllabus, similar to Sindhi and Pashto, at a seminar jointly organized by the Unique Group of Institutions and Aiwan-e-Iqbal Complex on International Mother Language Day (21st February) at Chairing Cross, Lahore.

He highlighted the fact that Punjabis today are hesitant to speak their native speech.

"If we do not promote our mother tongue, it will, like many other languages around the world, become obsolete over time," the minister said.

Professor Abdul Mannan Khurram, Chairman of the Unique Group of Institutions, remarked that Punjabi is a very pleasant language, and it is crucial to take necessary steps to promote it.

"No one should be afraid to express themselves in their mother tongue, which reflects their culture and customs," he continued.

Addressing the seminar, rights activist Saeeda Diep said that public officials must take a proactive role in the protection and promotion of the Punjabi language. She stated that the issue should be brought up in the Punjab Assembly by elected members.