Pakistan Sign Language (PSL) is moving toward one national standard after the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training moved to standardize it as a single national identity. The step was taken at a National Policy Dialogue held at the National Institute of Special Education (NISE) in Islamabad, which the ministry hosted with UNICEF Pakistan. The forum ended with a Joint Declaration that names NISE the core federal institute for PSL.
What the Joint Declaration sets out
The declaration gives Pakistan Sign Language a clear institutional home at NISE. It was adopted unanimously after presentations from the federation, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. It directs the National Task Force to finalize a definitive compendium of 1,500 signs as Volume-I, the first volume of the set, working under what the ministry described as the Deaf-led principle, meaning Deaf people guide the work.
The dialogue built on a Third National Consultation Workshop at NISE, a 21-day session running from October 7 to 25. Its main task is to capture high-definition photographs and video of the 1,500 standardized signs that the National Task Force developed and reviewed over the past year. The ministry praised the joint commitment of the federating units, UNICEF and Deaf leadership.
Minister's remarks and next steps
Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, said the real significance of standardizing Pakistan Sign Language lies in the voices and linguistic rights of the Deaf community. She called the move a historic milestone for equity, dignity and equal citizenship. Qamar said inclusion is a constitutional promise rather than charity, and pointed to Pakistan's obligations under Articles 21 and 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which call for sign languages to be promoted. She also credited NISE's work since 1991 and UNICEF's partnership.
The ministry described the agreement among federating units, UNICEF and Deaf leaders as a roadmap for an inclusive future in which every deaf child can learn, belong, grow and be heard. The next formal step is for the National Task Force to finalize the 1,500-sign compendium as Volume-I.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Since 1991: NISE has played a role in the field, which the minister praised.
- Over the past year: the National Task Force developed and reviewed 1,500 standardized signs.
- October 7: The Third National Consultation Workshop began at NISE as a 21-day session.
- October 22: The National Policy Dialogue at NISE adopted a Joint Declaration on standardizing PSL.
- October 25: The workshop session is scheduled to end.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan Sign Language (PSL) ko ek qaumi standard par laane ka faisla hua hai, aur NISE ko is ka core federal institute mana gaya hai. National Task Force 1,500 signs ki ek mukammal list, Volume-I, tayyar kar rahi hai. Is se Deaf bachon ke liye ek jaisi sign language seekhna aur school mein samajhna aasan ho sakta hai. Abhi yeh ek ahem aghaaz hai, aur final list ka intezar hai.
