KARACHI, Nov 5: The year 2003 will be observed as the “Year of Urdu Development”.

The year-long celebrations will be jointly organized by Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu, the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys’ Association and Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology.

The decision was taken in a joint meeting of the Anjuman, the Association and the University, with SSUET chancellor Z.A. Nizami in the chair, in view of the fact that the Anjuman was founded on Jan 3, 1903.

The offer of cooperation made by the Association and the University was primarily in recognition of the fact that Sir Syed and Aligarh played a key role in the advancement of Urdu.

The celebrations will begin next year with an inaugural meeting in Karachi, followed by meetings in other provinces to review Urdu’s national significance, its problems and prospects on an all-Pakistan basis.—APP