In a world increasingly shaped by global languages and digital connectivity, Pakistan’s indigenous tongues face an existential crisis. The rich tapestry of linguistic diversity that once echoed across the valleys and mountains of this ancient land is quietly receding, its vibrant expressions overshadowed by the forces of globalisation and modernisation. This decline is not merely a matter of words and grammar; it reflects cultural erosion, the loss of centuries-old traditions, and a weakening connection to the collective identity of many communities.

For generations, Pakistan has been a crucible of linguistic innovation and cultural exchange, where languages carried stories of resilience, heritage and a deep relationship between people and their environment. Historically, these languages were not just tools of communication but repositories of indigenous knowledge, folklore and customs that defined community life. Today, however, the dominance of Urdu and English, reinforced by state policies and educational practices, has created an environment inwhere linguistic diversity is increasingly marginalised.

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Case studies illustrate the stark reality of this decline. In the Swat Valley, the Torwali language, once vibrantly spoken in local villages, has seen a sharp reduction in fluent speakers over recent decades. Research by a local linguistic group shows that among those under 30, active use of Torwali has fallen by nearly 40 per cent, as younger generations gravitate towards Pashto and Urdu in pursuit of economic........

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