Urdu holds the status of the national language of Pakistan. It is also the official language of the country and the post is also shared by English. It is understood all over the country and is the best medium of communication anywhere in the country.

Urdu has been in the region since the 11th century. The rulers of that time urged the population to learn how to read and write Urdu. It is an Indo-Aryan language and is derived from three different languages which are Arabic, Turkish and Persian. The letters used in Urdu language are similar to the ones used in Arabic and Persian (Farsi) language. Though the letters are the same but the dialect and accent differs a lot.

The word Urdu means 'army'. In old times the armies in this region comprised of people from different nationalities. All had different languages and could not understand each other. A language was required which could be understood by all. Urdu emerged as the medium that linked all and was understood by all. According to different researches carried out, Urdu is not only spoken in Pakistan but also in many other parts of the world. It is one of the 23 official languages of India. It is widely spoken in Bangladesh and also in many gulf countries. There are also hundreds and thousands of Urdu speakers in the European countries and Americas.

In Pakistan not more than 8% people have their first language as Urdu but the rest of the population speaks and understands Urdu as the second language. The estimated number of native Urdu speakers in Pakistan is 10.5 million and all over the world the figure is 50 million approximately. In Pakistan alone the people who understand and speak Urdu as the first or second language is 104 million approximately.

Urdu is included as a compulsory subject in the schools and colleges of Pakistan. Urdu poetry and literature is taught and given prime importance alongside English in the institutions. The Urdu literature has a rich history and it has seen very eminent and world renowned poets like Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Mirza Ghalib. It is not only poetry but also a lot of Islamic literature and Sharia literature has also been written Urdu. It was even before many other languages that Sharia and Islamic literature was written and also translated in this language. Urdu has emerged as a binding force which has kept the people of Pakistan close to each other.

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