PR No.81 Islamabad

Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change says ‘Urdu’ language is not accepted as the language of success, so translating a book on environment,  in Urdu  is a great endeavor for the promotion of our National Language and ensuring outreach to the general public.

Speaking at the launch event of the Urdu version of the book titled “Pakistan Environmental Challenges and Measures for Pollution,” (??????? ?? ????????? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ??????), written by Dr. Mahmood A. Khawaja, organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Thursday, he said English language is one of the gifts of colonialism, which has subdued the local language Urdu. He said, this book is an important source of knowledge, which requires more dissemination. It is important to have a book in urdu language, on scientific subjects, for a better outreach to the general public.

Executive Director SDPI, Dr Abid Q Suleri, said we cannot think of sustainable development, if a common man is not taken on board. He said 6th report of IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) blame human activities for the current change in environment. He said, this book would be an important reference for those Urdu readers, who have interest in environmental issue.

Explaining the objective behind the publishing of the book, Author, Dr. Mehmood Khawja said, firstly it will make general public aware of some of the main environmental problem confronting the society and, the needful measures to be taken by the government, private sector, civil society and public in general. Secondly, it has been translated in Urdu, so that it is easier for the general public to understand the issues of environment pollution, protection and remedies.

Ahmed Salim, Senior Advisor, Education & Religious Diversity said, the book establishes a link between  environment  and  human life, and presents ways and means of coping with the harmful impacts of changing environment. He said, the message and knowledge of this research publication should reach out to the common people, through the local language. He said, most of the research expires on shelves, after being published in language, understood little by the local people.

Dr. Shazia Iftikhar, Chairperson Fatima Jinnah Women University commended Dr. Khawaja for publishing research in Urdu. She said, it will help in gathering support of the people on the issues.

Zaigham Abbas, Dy. Director (Chemicals), Ministry of Climate Change said, the book is very relevant to the needs of the public.  He said, Dr. Khawaja (the author of the book) has presented his pioneer work on the harmful impacts of Mercy and other chemicals in this book, which is commendable. The content of this book would be of great benefit to the public at large, he added.

Dr. Humera Ashfaq, Professor Fatima Jinnah Women University said, the purpose of the book is to created public awareness on the issues of environmental pollution and degradation.

Khalid Iqbal Yasser, Head Translation Services Department, National University of Modern Languages (NUML) said, we should not confine writing of research to English only. For a better outreach to the general public Urdu language should be used. Research published in foreign language achieves little of its objectives.

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