The Medium of Instruction Controversy in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan has five major indigenous languages Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Siraiki and Baluchi while the national language is Urdu. The language used in the domains of power (like the higher bured the officer corps of the armed forces)is English, as it was during British rule. This paper traces the controversy about the medium of instruction in Pakistan, beginning with the use of Englt education in pre-partition days. This policy was meant to consolidate the empire because the English-educated Anglicised elite would support British rule in its own interest. The masses weret the lower levels, in the vernacular which was taken to be Urdu in all the provinces except Sind, where Sindhi was used. This policy produced office workers in subordinate positions at low coy Pakistan, too, the elite are educated in expensive English-medium schools, whereas Urdu is used in most other schools, including those of urban Sind which have majorities of mother-tongue Ur. This medium of instruction policy is opposed by the indigenously educated (the Urdu-medium) proto-elite, who would find entry into positions of power easier if Urdu was used and nobody was e.