UNITY IN DIVERSITY: EXPLORING PAKISTAN’S LINGUISTIC LANDSCAPE

• Pakistan is home to 70–80 languages, spanning four major linguistic families: Indo-European, Dravidian, Language Isolates, and Sign Languages.
• Punjabi (37%), Pashto (18%), and Sindhi (14%) are the top three mother tongues, while Urdu remains the lingua franca across the nation.
• The 2023 PBS report shows unique linguistic patterns across provinces, influenced by migration, trade, and history.
• Language extinction and preservation are pressing concerns amid the richness of indigenous languages and modernisation pressures.

Pakistan is a country of 241 million people standing testimony to the dictum of unity in diversity manifested in 68 indigenous languages and 12 non-indigenous languages spoken in the country.  The country’s linguistic composition is shaped by various historical factors, including the presence of distinct ethnic groups and their associated cultural traditions.

This insight examines Pakistan’s linguistic landscape by exploring language demographics, historical developments, and societal impacts, alongside the challenges of language preservation and the danger of extinction.

Pakistan’s geographic location and its history have deeply influenced its linguistic diversity. The 70 to 80 languages spoken across the country belong to four main linguistic families: Indo-European (Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Balochi), Dravidian (Brahui), Language Isolates (Burushaski), and Sign Languages.  A detailed breakdown of these languages is provided in the table at the end of this insight. Pakistan’s plural and multilingual social fabric has evolved over centuries of migrations, invasions, and trade.

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The 2023 report by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reveals that Punjabi remains the most widely spoken language, with 37% of Pakistanis identifying it as their mother tongue, followed by Pashto (18%), Sindhi (14%), Saraiki (12%), and Balochi (3%).  Other regional languages account for 6% of the population. Urdu, the national language, is the mother tongue of 9% of Pakistanis.  Nevertheless, Urdu serves as the primary means of communication, acting as a lingua franca that fosters interaction between different regions, thereby promoting national cohesion.

The role of Urdu in shaping national identity has been pivotal. Only 9% of Pakistanis speak it as their mother tongue, but over 70% of the population can understand it, making it a crucial unifying force. Its constitutional recognition under Article 251 of the 1973 Constitution, along with its historical significance in the independence movement, has cemented its importance in governance, media, and education.

The preservation of Pakistan’s linguistic diversity is essential for safeguarding its cultural heritage, reinforcing national unity, and enhancing its soft power globally.

Moreover, English remains the official language alongside Urdu, a legacy of British colonial rule, and is widely used in government, higher education, business, and the legal system. With 49% of the population speaking or understanding English, Pakistan is the fourth-largest English-speaking country globally, after the United States, India, and Nigeria,  primarily due to these countries’ larger populations compared to other English-speaking nations.

Figure 2: The Four Most Spoken Languages of Pakistan

The linguistic patterns across Pakistan’s provinces are diverse, reflecting migration trends and historical influences. Punjab is predominantly Punjabi-speaking (67%), with Saraiki-speaking (20.6%) forming a significant minority.  Sindh has a linguistically diverse profile, with Sindhi speakers accounting for 60% and Urdu speakers for 22.3%. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pashto is the dominant language, accounting for 81%, followed by Hindko at 9.39%.

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Balochistan exhibits a rich linguistic diversity, with Balochi (39.91%) and Pashto (34.3%) being the most widely spoken languages. Gilgiti is spoken by 0.5% of the population of Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balti is spoken by 0.3%. Islamabad, the federal capital, is a hub of urban linguistic diversity, with Punjabi (50.5%), Pashto (18%), and Urdu (15.7%) being widely spoken languages.

Figure 3: Source: Gallup Big Data Analysis of the 2023 Census Volume 1

An analysis of census data from 1998, 2017, and 2023 highlights major linguistic trends. The percentage of Punjabi speakers has declined from 44% in 1998 to 37% in 2023, while the rate of Urdu speakers has increased from 8% to 9%. The number of Pashto and Saraiki speakers increased between 1998 and 2017, but their proportion remained constant in the 2023 census.

*Hindko and Brahvi languages were not included in the 1998 census.

Figure 4: Regional Language Distribution in Urban Areas, Comparison of 1998 and 2017 Censuses

Sindhi speaking fluctuated, peaking at 15% in 2017 before reverting to 14% in 2023. Balochi speaking has declined steadily, dropping from 4% in 1998 to 3% in 2023. Demographic changes, urban migration, and economic mobility shape these linguistic patterns.

Figure 5: Regional Language Distribution in Rural Areas Comparison of 1998 and 2017 Censuses

Further analysis of linguistic trends from 1998, 2017, and 2023 censuses reveals notable differences between rural and urban areas over the past 25 years. In rural regions, the proportion of Punjabi-speaking people has declined from 43% in 1998 to 34% in 2023, while the proportion of Pashto-speaking people has increased from 18% to 22%. Urdu-speaking remained stable at 2%.

The number of Punjabi speakers in urban areas declined, dropping from 48% in 1998 to 41% in 2023. Pashto-speaking initially grew, rising from 10% in 1998 to 12% in 2017, but later declined slightly to 11% in 2023. Meanwhile, the Urdu-speaking population fluctuated, decreasing from 20% in 1998 to 17% in 2017, before increasing again to 21% in 2023, reflecting its growing presence in urban centers.  These shifts highlight the rising role of urbanisation, bilingualism, and digital communication in shaping linguistic usage.

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Moreover, various linguistic elements, including oral traditions, scripts, and dialects, contribute to Pakistan’s rich linguistic heritage. Urdu orthographies with unique diacritics are employed in Saraiki and Kashmiri. Perso-Arabic scripts, most notably Nastaliq calligraphy, are adapted in Urdu and mainstream regional languages.  Balti shifted from Tibetan to Persian-Arabic script, mirroring historical shifts, whereas Isolate Languages like Burushaski lack standardised scripts, alternating between Arabic and Latin. Arabic-based scripts with special markers are used for minority languages such as Wakhi and Shina, while Latin variants are used for digital media.

Despite its rich linguistic diversity, Pakistan faces challenges in preserving its regional languages. Due to weak institutional support, 18 indigenous languages, including Brahui (Balochistan), Shina (Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, KPK), and Burushaski (Northern Gilgit-Baltistan), are classified as endangered.  Educational barriers also persist, as the dominance of Urdu and English marginalises non-Urdu-speaking individuals, limiting access to education and economic opportunities. Gaps in policy implementation further hinder the full integration of regional languages into governance and education. Moreover, globalisation and urbanisation have accelerated cultural erosion, threatening the continued use of local languages in daily life and media representation.

Nevertheless, efforts to promote Pakistan’s linguistic diversity have been initiated through various institutions. The National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) leads Urdu standardisation through dictionaries and educational integration.

The Pakistan Academy of Letters works on language translation and digitisation. Provincial bodies like the Punjabi Adabi Board and Sindhi Language Authority implement localised revitalisation programmes, including digital archiving and media projects.  For minority languages, the Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI) develops orthographies, teaching materials, and training programmes.

To further promote linguistic diversity and preservation, the government can implement various recommendations. In the domain of media and culture, regional language content should be increased across state-owned platforms, such as PTV and Radio Pakistan, as well as digital media.

Subtitles and dubbing of media content in regional languages should also be encouraged. On the institutional level, the government should support organisations that work to translate, preserve, and digitise indigenous languages, such as the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).

Therefore, Pakistan’s linguistic diversity is a cultural asset and a pillar of national identity and strength. Although globalisation inevitably leads to linguistic erosion, progressive measures can be taken to ensure the survival of regional languages. Benedict Anderson aptly noted, “Languages are not just tools of communication but also symbols of identity. When a nation recognises multiple languages, it strengthens community bonds and fosters a shared national identity”.

Source: Self-Compiled by Author