A ceremony was held in Karachi to launch the book “Diwan-e-Nasiri”, a collection of poems by renowned poet Nasiruddin Nasir, who spread the message of peace and harmony through his poetry from the valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The event, titled “Symposium on Diwan-e-Nasiri Burushaski”, was organized by the Burushaski Research Academy at the Rangoonwala Community Center. The ceremony also marked the launch of the Burushaski-Urdu digital dictionary.
Speaking at the event, the organizer and coordinator of the Burushaski Research Academy, Shahnaz Saleem, said that the Burushaski language does not belong to any language family in the world. She explained that when research began to determine the origin of the language, it was discovered that Burushaski has no mother or sister language, making it an isolated language.
Shahnaz Saleem added that isolated languages around the world face threats to their survival. She praised the efforts of poet Nasiruddin Nasir, who took steps to preserve the Burushaski language, which was previously only a spoken language without a written script.
The Burushaski Research Academy has published over nine books, including a three-volume dictionary of the Burushaski language. Speakers at the event emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting the language and culture of Gilgit-Baltistan.
They noted that culture, language, and literature are the mirror of any nation. According to anthropologists, culture, language, dress, knowledge, and faith are the foundation of any culture. A society that is aware of these factors and acts upon them is considered civilized, and only such a society can become a cradle of peace.
The speakers stressed the need for emergency measures to preserve all languages spoken in Pakistan, including Burushaski. They warned that without state patronage, smaller languages like Burushaski are at risk of extinction.
The event featured performances by artists from Gilgit-Baltistan, including traditional dance and music. Guests of honor included renowned archaeologist Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari, education expert Tazeen Arum, and educational expert Munhaaj Musavi, among others.