Punjab Information Secretary Ashfaq Ahmad Gondal has said that the government is providing financial assistance to organisations and individuals promoting and popularising Punjabi language. He also said that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees development of the languages spoken in the country.
He expressed these views while addressing a function at Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture held here on Thursday. He said promotion of the Punjabi language was possible only if we gave up our apologetic attitude over this language.
"The Punjabis are perhaps the only people who are reluctant to speak their mother language and consider it uncivilised to talk in Punjabi to their children. English is considered as the international language in the present age, however, we should also teach our children in Punjabi," he added.
"We should adopt a tolerant and polite attitude, as it is the land of Baba Bulhey Shah, Waris Shah, Baba Farid and Mian Muhammad Bakhsh who gave the message of love and brotherhood. The Punjab government is setting up institutions like Punjab Institute of Language in Multan and Rawalpindi, which will help promote Punjabi language to the great extent," he added.
While addressing the participants, Punjab Education Secretary Qazi Afaq Hussain said the government was ready to introduce Punjabi language in schools at primary level. He also said Punjabi organisations should help the government in the preparation of syllabus in the Punjabi language.
Additional Secretary Information and Culture Nayyar Mehmood, prominent journalist Hussain Naqi, Qazi Javed, Jehangir Aziz, Saeed Bhutta and Mudassar Butt also spoke on the occasion.