Exploring the Linguistic Map of Pakistan | Infer x Chakor Analytics

Introduction

Pakistan's demographic landscape is characterized by a striking contrast in population distribution across its provinces. With half of the country's population residing in Punjab, while Balochistan—constituting 44% of Pakistan's land area—hosts merely 5% of the populace, the linguistic diversity in these regions tells a compelling story. In this article, we delve into the rich tapestry of local languages influenced by the varying demographic arrangements.

Despite Urdu being the national language of Pakistan, it serves as a mother tongue for only a small fraction of the population, just 9%, predominantly in Karachi's five districts. This establishes that while Urdu has a unifying role, it doesn't represent the indigenous linguistic identities of most of the country.

Punjabi emerges as the most widely spoken language, with 36.9% of the nation speaking it. This prevalence correlates with the fact that nearly half of Pakistan's people live in Punjab. The Punjabi-speaking populace is consistently distributed across various districts, solidifying its status as the most common language nationwide.

Pushto is another prominent language, spoken by approximately 18% of the citizens, mostly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and northern Balochistan. It boasts a rich literary and cultural heritage, with speakers, writers, and poets extending these traditions globally.

Hindko, with 2% of the population, is primarily found in the southwestern parts of KPK and northeastern Punjab. This language further enriches Pakistan's linguistic diversity.

Sindhi, one of the oldest languages still in use today, is spoken by about 14% of the population—almost 30 million people. Historical references to Sindhi date back to the NAA Shastra from 2000 BC, illustrating its deep roots. Interestingly, there are also 1.7 million Sindhi speakers in India, showcasing the language's cross-border presence.

Saraiki, closely related to Punjabi, represents approximately 12% of Pakistan's population and is largely spoken in southern Punjab. The term "Saraiki" has its origins in the word "Sin," referring to travelers from the southern regions of Punjab.

Balochistan's linguistic landscape is quite complex due to its scattered population. Balochi, comprising about 3% of the nation's speakers, dominates the eastern, southern, and western areas of Balochistan. Meanwhile, northern Balochistan predominantly features Pushto speakers, and Bravi, accounting for 1% of the population, is another language present in the region.

In conclusion, the intricate demographic arrangement of Pakistan significantly influences its local languages, contributing to a richly diverse linguistic heritage worthy of exploration.

Keywords

• Pakistan
• Linguistic diversity
• Punjabi
• Pushto
• Urdu
• Sindhi
• Saraiki
• Balochi
• Hindko
• Bravi

FAQ

1. What is the most commonly spoken language in Pakistan?
Punjabi is the most widely spoken language, with 36.9% of the population using it as their mother tongue.

2. How many languages are spoken in Pakistan?
There are around 70 languages alive in Pakistan, with eight being the most commonly spoken.

3. What percentage of Pakistan speaks Urdu as their mother tongue?
Only 9% of the population speaks Urdu as their mother tongue, primarily concentrated in Karachi.

4. Where is Pushto mainly spoken?
Pushto is predominantly spoken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and northern Balochistan, comprising approximately 18% of the country’s population.

5. Is Sindhi an ancient language?
Yes, Sindhi is one of the oldest living languages in the world, with references tracing back to 2000 BC, and is spoken by about 14% of the population.