People from Dera Ismail Khan often grow up with more than one language around them. My own childhood was full of soft sounds of Saraiki spoken in homes and bazaars. Our people wear shalwar kameez with pride, enjoy hot chai at any hour and are known for their kind and welcoming nature. Long before the large movement of Pashtuns to our district, the Saraiki community formed most of the population. Later, when Pashtun families came during the time of military operations in their regions, they brought their culture with them and slowly we learnt many of their ways too. They picked up our Saraiki language and we admired their language and strong values. Over time, both communities began living like brothers. I grew up hearing Saraiki at home and Pashto in the streets, and Urdu everywhere else.
When I reached Moscow in August for my masters at HSE University, I already knew the value of understanding different languages and cultures. The programme was Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication so many students around me belonged to different regions of Pakistan as well as other countries. I stayed in Dormitory Number One which is near all the main buildings. Life there was busy because everyone was adjusting to a new country. One day I noticed two Pakistani students who could not get along. They had been arguing for many days and their small disagreements were turning into daily fights.
One of them was Muhammad Khizar from Punjab. He spoke Punjabi and Urdu and loved talking about the food and lifestyle of his region. The other student was Abdullah Khan who belonged to a Pashtun family. He spoke Pashto and Urdu and held great respect for Pashtun values like hospitality, emotional warmth and strong faith. They were roommates and kept fighting about cooking styles, about who should clean the room, about sleep timings and about whose community was more hospitable. These arguments were exhausting for both of them. One evening Abdullah came to me and said that I understood his language and his way of life so he wanted help.
After hearing him, I thought it was necessary to bring both of them together. I called them to my room and started talking in Urdu and Saraiki so Khizar could feel comfortable. I told him that every community has its strengths and Pashtuns are famous for opening their doors for guests without thinking twice. I reminded him that I grew up among Pashtuns and saw this hospitality every single day. Then I turned to Abdullah and spoke in Pashto. I told him that Punjabi people may show less emotion on the outside but they are hardworking and punctual. I explained that being less emotional does not mean they lack respect or love.
Then the topic of food came up again. I addressed it with a smile. I said that Punjabis have amazing dishes like sarson ka saag, makai ki roti and different kinds of chole, while Pashtun dishes like kabuli pulao, chapli kebab and lamb karahi have their own charm. All food carries history and pride. No dish is bigger or smaller. So after hearing this, both of them thought about this and also, they were happy as well when they heard their favourite foods being praised.
To make them understand further, I explained that values like respect and hospitality are present in every community but their expressions are different. Pakistan’s cultures are like colours of the same fabric. When we force our way on others we damage the cloth but when we appreciate each shade the fabric becomes more beautiful. They listened quietly because I used the languages closest to their hearts.
After some silence, they agreed to shake hands. I asked them to try their best to accept differences instead of proving who was better. I told them that understanding comes only when we stop comparing. Then they promised to improve their behaviour.
A week later I visited the ninth floor and saw a pleasant scene. They were sitting together and eating from a single plate. Abdullah had cooked lamb meat in the style of mutton karahi and both were laughing and sharing jokes. I sat with them and ate as well. In that moment I realised once again that knowing many languages helps us solve problems and bring people together.
Bio:
I am Abdul Basit, a writer with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Linguistics. I am currently a researcher at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow Campus.