Delegation for Punjabi at primary-level in Pakistan

Moga, Feb 26 (UNI) A seven-member team of prominent literary figures from Pakistan, here to attend week-long 'Punjabi Mother Tongue celebrations', today said they were pressing upon the Pakistan government to introduce Punjabi language at the primary level.

The delegation including known Punjabi writers, poets and publishers of Punjabi books said they were advocating for the introduction of the Punjabi language, widely spoken in Pakistan, in the initial stages of schooling, along with English, Urdu and Arabic.

The team, which arrived here this morning and participated in the Punjabi Mother Tongue celebrations programme, comprise Nasreen Anjam Bhatti former Deputy Controller Radio Pakistan Lahore, Parveen Malik PTV award-winner for best play writing, Sultan Khan Ahsan renowned Punjabi Poet, Afzal Rana, author of several Punjabi books for children, Anjam Saleem, a known Punjabi books publisher and Ashaq Rashid, a popular writer.

The speakers said they were thrilled to be in India and happy about participating in the celebrations.

They were impressed with the ''wonderful work for the development of Punjabi language done in Indian Punjab.'' A lot is needed to be done still in Pakistan for the language, they said. The Punjabi language was first introduced in the MA course in Punjab, followed by BA and B.ED.

The delegation interacted with the local students and apprised them of the cultural heritage of Pakistani Punjab. They advocated the exchange of school children of both the Punjab to spread awareness about the old culture of un-divided Punjab.

UNI