Arshad Mahmood Awan
The Power of Preservation: Why Language, Script, and Culture Matter for Pakistan’s Future
Every society is shaped by its people’s languages, traditions, and cultural values. These elements are not just part of a community’s identity—they are the foundation of its social fabric. In Pakistan, Article 251 of the Constitution acknowledges this reality. It states that any group of citizens with a distinct language, script, or culture has the constitutional right to preserve, promote, and institutionalize their heritage. This is not a symbolic clause. It is a fundamental right that directly impacts national cohesion, community empowerment, and sustainable development.
Language is more than a means of communication—it is the carrier of thought, tradition, and worldviews. It shapes how communities interpret life, history, and relationships. When a language disappears, a whole worldview vanishes with it. Similarly, script and culture are expressions of a community’s soul. They give people a sense of belonging, self-respect, and historical continuity.
For diverse countries like Pakistan, which is home to dozens of linguistic and cultural communities—Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Saraiki, Brahui, Hindko, Shina, Balti, and many more—this right is crucial. If these communities feel that their identity is not recognized or is being erased, they become alienated from the state. That alienation, in turn, weakens national integration.
Preserving cultural diversity leads to stronger and more resilient societies. When communities are allowed to flourish in their own identity, they contribute more confidently to national development. Educational institutions that teach children in their mother tongue at the primary level show improved learning outcomes, cognitive development, and emotional well-being.
Moreover, a society that promotes its cultural and linguistic diversity builds bridges instead of walls. It fosters tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence. Such societies are more creative, vibrant, and capable of addressing complex social challenges because they draw from a richer pool of cultural resources.
Preserving languages and cultures also has direct economic benefits. Cultural tourism, indigenous arts and crafts, music, literature, and traditional knowledge systems can all be harnessed as economic assets. When people take pride in their heritage, they are more likely to innovate and invest in their local communities. Cultural industries can generate employment, reduce rural-urban migration, and promote sustainable development.
In contrast, when communities are deprived of their cultural rights, they feel disempowered. This leads to social fragmentation, mistrust of the state, and even unrest. Thus, protecting linguistic and cultural rights is not just a moral duty—it is a strategic necessity for peace and progress.
In the Pakistani context, implementing this constitutional right has never been more urgent. Despite the promise of Article 251, successive governments have failed to develop comprehensive policies to preserve regional languages and cultures. Urdu and English dominate formal education, governance, and media, while many regional languages are relegated to informal spaces. This creates a gap between communities and the state, often fuelling ethnic grievances.
By promoting regional languages and cultures within the framework of national unity, Pakistan can foster a more inclusive identity. For example, provinces can design curriculum in mother languages alongside Urdu and English. Government media can feature regional content. Cultural institutions can be funded to document and promote indigenous knowledge and practices. The state can recognize and celebrate cultural festivals at the national level, reinforcing a sense of belonging among all groups.
Currently, there is no national language policy that ensures the preservation of non-dominant languages and scripts. Nor is there adequate funding for cultural preservation in education or media. Many local languages are at risk of extinction due to lack of institutional support. Article 251 gives communities the right to establish institutions for their language and culture—but few communities have the financial or technical resources to do this on their own.
Therefore, it becomes the state’s responsibility to not only allow such efforts but actively support them. Decentralized cultural policies, public-private partnerships, and academic research into endangered languages are some ways to ensure that Article 251 becomes a lived reality.
The way forward is clear: Pakistan must embrace its diversity, not suppress it. Preserving language, script, and culture is not about ethnic separation—it is about equitable inclusion. When all communities see themselves reflected in the national story, they are more likely to contribute to the country’s future with full commitment.
Parliament must legislate a comprehensive national cultural and language policy. Provinces should be empowered and resourced to implement preservation initiatives. Civil society, academia, and local communities must be engaged in documenting, celebrating, and transmitting their heritage to the next generation.
Only through such collective efforts can we build a Pakistan that is not just politically united, but also socially rich, culturally inclusive, and intellectually vibrant.
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