Balochistan Government’s Controversial Move to Subordinate Literary Institutions to Bureaucracy: PkMAP Demands Immediate Withdrawal of Proposed Bill

Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta): The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PkMAP) has expressed deep concern over reports of the proposed “National Languages, Academies and Literary Societies Bill 2026” being tabled in the provincial assembly and has demanded that the bill be withdrawn immediately. In a statement, the party said that all national languages, including Pashto, Balochi, Brahui and Hazaragi, are the fundamental symbols of the national identity, historical heritage, cultural continuity and collective consciousness of the people here. Respecting the autonomy and scholarly and literary freedom of the literary academies established for the development, promotion and protection of these languages is the government’s constitutional, democratic and national responsibility. Any attempt through legislation to subordinate these institutions to the government bureaucracy and restrict their creative freedom will not be acceptable.

The party said that national languages are not merely a means of expression and communication but are the custodians of nations’ history, culture, traditions, folk wisdom, collective experiences and intellectual evolution. Through these languages, nations transmit their historical consciousness to new generations and preserve their cultural identity. The promotion of education, research, literature, poetry, historiography and scientific and technical knowledge in mother tongues and national languages strengthens creative capabilities and intellectual development in societies. Therefore, the protection of national languages is not the concern of a single institution but a matter of the fundamental national, cultural and intellectual rights of the relevant peoples.

PkMAP said that Pashto, Balochi, Brahui and Hazaragi languages have their own distinct historical, literary and cultural status. These languages possess a vast treasure of centuries-old folk literature, epic poetry, tales, historical traditions and popular wisdom, which writers, poets, researchers and intellectuals have preserved through their hard work. The development of these languages should be based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and shared cultural promotion, because the development of one language cannot be achieved by restricting the rights of another.

The party said that literary academies of national languages are not merely institutions receiving government grants but important centers of scholarly research, literary creation, book publishing, preservation of manuscripts, compilation of dictionaries and grammar, literary events and training of the new generation. The effectiveness of these institutions can be maintained only when they have appropriate autonomy in their scholarly, literary and administrative affairs and their decisions are made in consultation with scholars, writers, poets and elected representatives of the relevant languages.

PkMAP pointed out that literary academies of national languages in the province operate as autonomous institutions registered under the Charities Act 2019 and receive grant-in-aid from the government. The purpose of government financial assistance should be to strengthen the scholarly and literary activities of these institutions, not to serve as a means of restricting their autonomy or placing them under the administrative control of the bureaucracy. Financial transparency, accountability and adherence to the law are essential, but ending scholarly and literary freedom under their cover is not appropriate.

The party also expressed concern over the lack of effective consultation with the responsible representatives of the literary academies of the relevant national languages, writers, intellectuals and scholars regarding the proposed bill. Making legislation concerning national languages and their literary institutions without hearing the views of those who are practically working for the protection and development of these languages is contrary to democratic principles and the requirements of participatory legislation. Instead of haste on such an important matter, it is necessary to ensure open, comprehensive and meaningful consultation.

The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party demanded that the government increase financial support for the literary academies of national languages and take practical steps for the publication of quality books, translations, dictionaries, research, digital archives, preservation of historical documents and encouragement of young writers. National languages should be provided appropriate opportunities in educational institutions, media, government and public life and scholarly research, so that the new generation can acquire knowledge in their mother tongues while also keeping pace with modern scholarly and scientific requirements. Providing equal rights and resources to all national languages is indispensable for strengthening mutual trust, harmony and democratic values in the province.

The party demanded that all members of the provincial assembly oppose the approval of the proposed “National Languages, Academies and Literary Societies Bill 2026” in its present form and refer it immediately to the relevant standing committee, so that representatives of the literary academies of all national languages, including Pashto, Balochi, Brahui and Hazaragi, writers, poets, intellectuals and relevant experts get a full opportunity to present their position. Legislation of this nature should be avoided without consultation with all relevant parties and addressing their reservations.

PkMAP warned that if the proposed bill is approved without ensuring the protection of the autonomy of literary institutions and scholarly and literary freedom, it will be strongly opposed and all available democratic and legal avenues, including challenging it in court, will be pursued. The party reiterated its commitment to continue its democratic and political struggle for the protection of Pashtun national identity, Pashto language and literature, and the rights of all national languages of the province, cultural diversity and autonomous scholarly and literary institutions. The protection of national languages is in fact the protection of nations’ history, culture, identity and the intellectual future of coming generations, on which no compromise can be made.