Islamabad: The Supreme Court has been informed that the prime minister has issued orders for enforcement of Urdu in government offices within three months.
A three-member SC bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja took up a case regarding the implementation of Urdu as official language and promotion of regional languages. Secretary Information, Azam Khan, told the apex court today that following the prime minister’s order, steps were being taken for the enforcement of Urdu in offices.
He told the court that in the future the president, the prime minister, ministers and other functionaries will deliver speeches in Urdu.
On inquiring from the court, the secretary information said that the prime minister was abroad currently, however, he had issued the order earlier vis-à-vis implementation of the national language.
The information secretary told the court that as per the administrative order, all departments working under federation would also publish Urdu translation of their policies in the future.
Information in Urdu will be put on display at all public places including courts, police stations, hospitals, parks, educational institutions and banks for guidance of the general public within the three months of the implemetaion of the PM order.
He said that passport offices, income tax department, AGPR, Auditor General of Pakistan, WAPDA, Election Commission of Pakistan would alos provide documents in Urdu.
All the departments functioning under the federation would also run their websites in Urdu. Sign boards in Urdu will be installed on all small and major highways and roads for guidance of people.
The information secretary told the court that proceedings of all government ceremonies and receptions would be started in Urdu in phases within three months.
He said that Idara Farogh Qaumi Zuban will be accorded central place in connection with promotion and implementation of Urdu.
The court issued directives for providing the copy of report to petitioner. The hearing was adjourned till July 22.
