Walk into an elite private school in Lahore or Karachi, and you will see students fluently speaking and debating in English, quoting Shakespeare, and reading books and novels without any language hurdle. Step into a public school a few miles away, and you will find students learning and cramming grammar rules by translating in Urdu and struggling with their English textbooks. This sharp contrast is not only linguistic— it reflects a deeper socioeconomic divide that determines opportunity, class, and privilege in Pakistan.
The story of the English language in Pakistan is interconnected with historical events. It was introduced during the British colonial rule and became the chief language for administrative, legal, and bureaucratic purposes.
Continue Reading on Pakistan Today
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.