Balti and Shina Speakers Underrepresented in Pakistan’s Language Census Report

A report on Pakistan’s mother tongues has been published, shedding light on the linguistic diversity of the country. However, the data has sparked concern, particularly among the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, as the number of Balti and Shina speakers is reported to be alarmingly low.

According to the report, only 116,000 individuals are identified as Shina speakers, while the number of Balti speakers is recorded at just 52,134. Observers believe this data may only reflect the population in Pakistan’s constitutional areas, i.e., the four provinces, and does not account for those living in Gilgit-Baltistan. If that is the case, the figures still appear significantly underestimated.

Migration Patterns and Urban Communities

An estimated 40 percent of the population from Baltistan has migrated to various cities across Pakistan, particularly Islamabad and Karachi, where entire neighborhoods and housing societies of Balti-speaking communities have been established. Despite this significant migration, the reported figures remain far lower than expected, causing concern among Gilgit-Baltistan residents who fear underrepresentation of their languages.

Population Statistics for Major Languages

The Bureau of Statistics provided the following data for Pakistan’s major mother tongues:

Punjabi: 88.9 million
Pashto: 43.6 million
Sindhi: 34.4 million
Seraiki: 28.8 million
Urdu: 22.2 million
Balochi: 8.1 million
Additionally, the report lists:

Hindko: 5.59 million
Brahui: 2.77 million
Kohistani: 1.03 million
Kashmiri: 274,000
Shina: 116,000
Balti: 52,134
Kalasha: 7,466
Other mother tongues: 3.37 million

The underrepresentation of Balti and Shina speakers in the report has caused serious concern among the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. Residents have raised questions about the methodology used for data collection and have called for greater accuracy to ensure the region’s linguistic and cultural identity is properly documented in national statistics.

The report underscores the need for more inclusive data collection that accurately represents Pakistan’s diverse linguistic landscape, especially for regions like Gilgit-Baltistan, which often remain underrepresented in national surveys.