THE condition of the Institute of Punjabi and Cultural Studies at Oriental College, University of the Punjab, deserves serious attention. This is not simply a matter of staffing shortages within one academic unit; it raises a larger and more troubling question about the place of the Punjabi language in Pakistan’s educational and cultural priorities.

The Department of Punjabi at the university occupies a unique position in the academic history of the country. Its role becomes even more significant when viewed against the broader status of Punjabi in Pakistan. Punjabi is the mother tongue of an estimated 120 million Pakistanis. Yet, it remains marginal in formal education, public institutions and official discourse. It is in this broader context that the difficulties facing the department become especially concerning.

Reports indicate that the institute has only three permanent teachers. One of them is also serving as principal of Oriental College, another has been on leave abroad, and the remaining faculty member is carrying out both teaching and administrative responsibilities. This is clearly not a sustainable arrangement for an institution of such academic importance.

Equally troubling is the claim that seven teaching posts have remained vacant for many years and have yet to be advertised. Owing to the shortage of permanent faculty, PhD admissions have reportedly not been offered in recent years. The institute continues to run academic programmes with part of the teaching burden apparently being managed by senior students. While temporary adjustments may sometimes be unavoidable, they cannot substitute for a properly staffed department committed to long-term teaching and research.

The relevant authorities should take immediate notice of this matter. The future of a language is shaped not only by the number of people who speak it, but also by the seriousness with which it is taught, studied and supported in society. If institutions are allowed to decline, the huge loss will soon be felt across the wider cultural landscape of Pakistan.

Safir Rammah
Fairfax, USA

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026