ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Monday approved a bill to make the Arabic language compulsory in primary and secondary educational institutions across Islamabad.
The bill, moved by PML-N's Javed Abbasi, said that the language should be taught from grade 1-5, while students of classes 6-11 should also learn Arabic grammar. The minister will ensure the implementation of the bill within six months, the bill's text said.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Abbasi said that the Holy Quran and daily prayers are recited in Arabic. "Arabic is the fifth-largest language in the world and the official language of 25 countries," he added.
Stressing the need for students to learn the language, he said that the country would not be going through problems had the masses understood the Holy Quran. The senator said that he is "in favour of all languages being taught in educational institutions, may it be Russian, Spanish, or English."
"If our people learn Arabic, more Pakistanis will get jobs in the Middle Eastern countries," he added.
The bill, moved by PML-N's Javed Abbasi, said that the language should be taught from grade 1-5, while students of classes 6-11 should also learn Arabic grammar. The minister will ensure the implementation of the bill within six months, the bill's text said.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Abbasi said that the Holy Quran and daily prayers are recited in Arabic. "Arabic is the fifth-largest language in the world and the official language of 25 countries," he added.
Stressing the need for students to learn the language, he said that the country would not be going through problems had the masses understood the Holy Quran. The senator said that he is "in favour of all languages being taught in educational institutions, may it be Russian, Spanish, or English."
"If our people learn Arabic, more Pakistanis will get jobs in the Middle Eastern countries," he added.