Reclaiming provincial languages

This refers to the article, ‘The desertion of Punjabi’, (Oct 19) by Shahid Siddiqui. When the learned writer suggested that in order to reclaim Punjabi, it should be taught as a subject in schools in Punjab, he conveniently forgot that southern Punjab belongs to the Saraikis. The community has its own culture and language which has not been recognised.

In fact, the renowned Saraiki poet, Khwaja Ghulam Farid, is incorrectly referred to as a Punjabi poet by the Punjabi academia. If Punjabi is to be taught at all schools, Saraiki should be introduced in the schools of southern Punjab.

Jamil Ahmad Abbasi

Lahore