QUETTA: Speakers at a function on Sunday stressed the need for making concerted efforts by writers, poets and other experts for development and promotion of Balochi, Pashto, Brahvi and other local languages on the pattern of the Sindhi language which was a developed language.

They said that several languages had been wiped out because there was no-one left to understand and speak such languages.

The function was held here to celebrate the Sindhi Culture Day organised by the Sindh TV.

Prominent Sindhi and Balochi language writers, intellectuals and a large number of people belonging to different walks of life attended the function.

Quetta’s Deputy Mayor Younis Baloch was the chief guest while president of the Balochi Academy Qayyum Baidar, Panha Baloch, Amanullah Khan Kakar, Mehrab Marri, Neelam Momil, president of the Quetta Press Club Shahzada Zulfiqar, Raza-ur-Rehman, Javed Langha and others spoke on the occasion and highlighted the Sindhi language and culture.

They said that Sindh was a land of towering saints like Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and Shah Abdul Latif Bhattai who preached love and peace for humanity through their poetry and literature and their teachings played an important role in promotion and development of the Sindhi language.

They said that Sindhi writers, poets and intellectuals through their works preserved and developed the Sindhi language and culture.

“Sindhi is a well-developed language,” Muhammad Panha Baloch, General Secretary of the Balochi Academy, said and added that vibrant and dynamic nations always celebrate their culture day to keep their culture, traditions and languages alive.

The speakers said that some languages vanished from the world as writers, poets and intellectuals of these languages did nothing for the promotion and preservation of these languages.

They suggested that academies of regional languages should make concerted efforts for development and promotion of Balochi, Pashto, Brahvi and other local languages.

Rakish Sameer of the Sindh TV said that his organisation would continue its efforts to promote Sindhi language and culture.

Local folk singers also performed on the occasion and recited poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhattai and some Balochi poets.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2016