NAUSHAHRO FEROZE, March 12: Speakers at a conference on the topic of "Sindhi Boli, Qaumi Boli" (Sindhi language, national language) have demanded that Sindhi language be given the status of national language along with Punjabi, Pushto, Balochi and Seraiki languages.

The conference was organised by the Sindhi Adabi Sangat, Naushahro Feroze chapter, at the local press club on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, the general secretary of the Sangat, Zulfiqar Siyal, said that Sindhi was an ancient language which had survived several conspiracies. He said that British linguist Dr Kent had written that Sindhi language was one of the 53 old languages of the world.

The conference passed various resolutions, demanding national status for Sindhi, Punjabi, Pushto, Balochi and Seraiki languages and re-opening of closed schools in Sindh. It also demanded that school buildings occupied by influential people be got vacated, prominent Sindhi artistes and Sughars be given honorarium and treatment of ailing artists be provided free of cost.

Yousuf Sindhi, Razzaq Mastoi, Zahid Rajpar and Mashooq Dharejo also spoke on the occasion.