Order issued to enforce Urdu as official language, SC informed

E-Paper | March 15, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The federal government informed the Supreme Court on Friday that an executive order had been issued to make it mandatory for the president, prime minister, federal ministers and other official representatives to deliver their speeches in Urdu while within the country or abroad.

The secretary, information and broadcasting, during the hearing of a case pertaining to promotion and implementation of Urdu language informed an SC bench headed by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja that the prime minister had signed the executive order on July 6.

He also submitted a ‘short-term’ strategy report before the court.

According to short-term measures, federal government departments have been asked to translate their policies and rules in Urdu in three months. The forms relating to all the government and semi-government institutions will be in Urdu and at key public places like courts, police stations, hospitals, parks, educational institutions and banks the information signs will be in Urdu besides the English language.

Likewise, contents of utility bills, passports, driving licences and various documents of the Auditor General’s office, Accountant General of Pakistan Revenue and Election Commission of Pakistan would also be in the national language.

According to the report, the authorities concerned have been asked to implement the strategy gradually in three months.

The court provided the copy of the report to the petitioner and adjourned the hearing till July 22.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Newspaper

Malik Asad is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn with two decades of experience covering legal affairs, judicial developments, and the civil bureaucracy. He can be found on X at @asadrp.

Iran strikes end Dubai dreams for Pakistani migrant workers

Data encouraging, but Afghanistan tensions could spark polio resurgence

Federal Constitutional Court sets aside Class-IV appointments at Karak DHQ Hospital

Mudassar Siddiq

Jul 11, 2015 08:55am

Somebody please also inform our cricket team that it they should speak in urdu in post match ceremony.

Recommend 0

Abdul Khader

Jul 11, 2015 09:39am

Why so much rigidity over language? It is totally senseless. I believe that English should also become an official language of Pakistan, and people should be encouraged to learn and speak it as much as possible. English is the language of the world - Urdu has no future.

Recommend 0

Syed Ali

Jul 11, 2015 10:24am

@Abdul Khader Agreed.

Recommend 0

Hassan Mujtaba

Jul 11, 2015 04:24pm

@Abdul Khader and why so much rigidity over english? english must be a second language as it actually is, simply.

Recommend 0

Shehz

Jul 11, 2015 08:44pm

English has always been Pakistan's official language. Urdu is our national language. What was the need to change anything? It wasn't as if documents in Urdu weren't accepted in courts or by government departments, both had equal value. Every move has to have a reason, a rationale; in this case, why? Taking the already uneducated towards more illiteracy!

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Chery Master Pakistan expands nationwide 3S dealership network: 10 operational, 20 planned by 2027

The nationwide dealership network includes 8 dealerships across six major cities, with two additional dealerships launching in the coming month, expanding the network to 10 dealerships nationwide.

Cardiogen and the molecular language of cardiac renewal: A speculative exploration

This article explores Cardiogen’s molecular characteristics, theorised mechanisms of action and its possible relevance across multiple research domains.

Master MoltyFoam’s Women’s Day initiative supports the next generation of female athletes

This year, Master MoltyFoam used the occasion to highlight the importance of support in sports by launching an initiative focused on encouraging young female athletes in Pakistan.