President Asif Ali Zardari today highlighted a critical link between Pakistan”s high educational dropout rates and the practice of instructing young children in languages unfamiliar to their homes. In a message marking International Mother Language Day, the President warned that when instruction is delivered in a language not spoken by the family, learning gaps widen and dropout rates rise, particularly in the formative years.
He stressed that a child who begins school in their mother tongue is more likely to foster cognitive development, comprehend lessons, and remain confident enough to continue their education. Citing research and international experience, the President advocated for mother tongue-based multilingual education, stating it improves comprehension and supports the acquisition of additional languages.
The message also connected linguistic recognition to economic empowerment. It was noted that farmers, artisans, and small business owners often rely on local languages to access services, markets, and information. Supporting these mother tongues, therefore, enhances not only cultural identity but also literacy, mobility, and economic participation.
President Zardari described Pakistan as a “rich tapestry of languages,” including Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi, Seraiki, and many others, which reflect centuries of shared history. He clarified that while Urdu serves as a unifying lingua franca, the nation”s mother tongues remain the “first voice of our children.”
The President asserted that language is more than a medium of speech; it shapes how communities remember their past, organise social life, and understand the world. He cautioned that when a language weakens, a distinct way of seeing and interpreting reality begins to fade, diminishing humanity’s shared intellectual heritage.
In a multi-ethnic federation like Pakistan, the statement continued, the challenge lies not in diversity itself but in nurturing cohesion to create a “colourful bouquet.” A careful integration of regional languages into education and public life can deepen national cohesion by affirming that every community’s heritage is valued.
As we observe the day, President Zardari called for a renewed commitment to promoting all of Pakistan’s mother tongues, adding that modern technology makes this goal highly achievable. “Our unity does not require uniformity,” he concluded. “It rests on mutual recognition and equal dignity.”