Till last week, we were under the impression that Urdu is the national language of Pakistan, but Higher Education Commission (HEC) has now shattered this myth. We all know that vested interests have long been
playing a key role in Urdu not becoming a bread earner in this country; meaning to keep the monopoly of English to maintain the edge between rulers and their subjects. This September, the Supreme Court in its landmark verdict ordered the federal and provincial governments to take concrete actions to adopt Urdu as the official language. But when a professor from Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari Institiute Karachi, Raees Alvi, informed HEC that he would deliver his research paper in Urdu during the forthcoming 4th Islamic Countries Vice Chancellors
Forum being hosted by Pakistan, he was not aware what an unusual demand he has made. After great reluctance, HEC has agreed to let him deliver the paper in Urdu provided, him or his institute pay HEC four
million rupees for including Urdu as 4th language in the forum proceedings. Yes, there would be expense on translation, printing and live audio translation, but why is it on Professor Alvi or his institute to arrange the funds? Is it not the HEC's responsibility to let Urdu be one of official languages at the forum? Mind you, this conference is being held in Pakistan. Civilization lives on and thrives only when its language is alive; once it’s gone, that civilization becomes part of the history.
Masood Khan
Saudi Arabia, October 12