‘Pakistan home to 68 languages with 12 of them being major communication source’

There are around 68 living indigenous languages spoken in different areas of Pakistan, but 12 of these languages are the major source of communication in different parts of country, said linguists and poets at the recent launch of a thematic calendar on regional languages of Pakistan.

It was said that most of these 12 languages of the country had been evolving with creation of literature and poetry.

The event was told that although some of the local languages were ‘endangered’, a majority of the Pakistani languages were not only stable but also evolving as literature was being produced in these languages and poets were composing verses in them. 

The launch of the thematic calendar, titled ‘Muhabbat Ki Zubaein’, was organised under the aegis of the Jahan-e-Maseeha Adbi Forum (JMAF). A Mushaira was also held on the occasion, which was presided over by Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui.

The poets who participated in the Mushaira included Ajmal Siraj, Khalid Irfan and Sindhi poet Adal Soomro.

Speaking on the calendar, Siraj lauded research carried out for the project. He shed light on how such an initiative could help unfold layers of the Pakistani culture to build its positive image across the globe.

Dr Siddiqui lauded the JMAF for its efforts in promoting art and literature among Pakistani physicians as well as common people, saying it was commendable to see some people and organisations striving hard to promote art, literature, book reading culture, poetry and linguistics in the country.

He said the JMAF was an off-shoot of pharmaceutical firm PharmEvo that has been promoting literature and poetry in the country. “Creation of thematic calendars on diversified themes after months and years of research is a commendable effort,” Dr Siddiqui said.

Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Vice Chancellor Prof Saeed Quraishy lauded the firm for holding literary gatherings, book fairs and poetry sittings saying no society could progress without art, literature and poetry in the mainstream and local languages.

“Languages play an important role in human development and evolution as most of the social and scientific development is not possible without development of languages”, he said adding that management of PharmEvo deserves commendation for promoting soft image of Pakistan by publishing thematic calendars on different themes.

Deputy CEO of the pharmaceutical firm Syed Jamshaid Ahmed said that for the last 24 years, they had been preparing thematic calendars, holding book fairs, publishing books on art, literature and poetry, and holding Mushairas to promote the soft image of Pakistan and promote ethics in the field of medicine marketing.

“It is the 25th calendar in 24 years history of PharmeEvo. We started as a small company and now we are the 17th largest company in Pakistan, which believes in ethics, healthy competition and creation of a healthy society,” he added.

He maintained that they were among the only three Pakistani companies that were WHO–prequalified and producing medicines of international standards.

Managing director of the firm Haroon Qasim lauded the team behind the creation of the thematic calendar saying that it took several months and even years to conduct research for such themes. Chief of the Premier Group Ibrahim Qasim and others also spoke on the occasion.