DefinePK

Abstract

This paper revisits the concept of devolution in Pakistan as afederal state. It overviews the history of language policy from theperspective of the devolution in the context of 18th amendments. Itevaluates the arguments of the supporters and opposers ofdevolution. While the supporters believe and argue in the supportof devolution of decision making to the local level, the opposersconsider such a move a threat to the existence of Pakistan. Thispaper establishes the validity of the argument of supporters ofdevolution and considers such a move beneficial for the promotionof local languages and the associated cultural, socio-politicalempowerment and economic opportunities of the local speakers.The absence of the substance of the opposers of devolution isthereby presented. The case of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a small unitof federation that houses a number of minority languages isexplored. It is established that language policy became moreconducive after passage of 18th Amendment in the Constitution ofIslamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973. The devolution of HigherEducation Commission (HEC) is also discussed and it is found thatdevolution of education - that remains the most important domainof language policy - still remains centralized and its devolution isresisted with the help of arguments of the opposers of devolution.This paper recommends the policy of considering local languagesas a source of strengthening the federation. It also suggest to makelanguage related choices of minority languages a right that isprotected through legal, material and institutional guarantees.