A renewed debate over the legal and national status of Pashto and Dari has emerged in Afghanistan following recent remarks by Taliban officials and reactions from former lawmakers and language experts.
Kamal Nasir Osoli, a former member of the Wolesi Jirga during Afghanistan’s republican era, said that constitutions adopted from the time of Ghazi Amanullah Khan and Sardar Daoud Khan through the government of Dr. Najibullah recognized two official languages while identifying only one as the national language.
Osoli argued that these historical and legal principles were reflected in national symbols, including the national anthem and the language used on Afghan banknotes. He further warned that changing, distorting or abolishing established laws could amount to a serious betrayal of national principles.
Former university professor and linguist Ghaza Noor also commented on the issue, arguing that Pashto had historically held the status of Afghanistan’s national language under previous governments, including those of Zahir Shah and Dr. Najibullah. He suggested that meaningful implementation would require Pashto to be incorporated more extensively into education, including in major cities such as Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif and Kunduz.
The debate follows remarks by Lutfallah Hakimi, Inspector General of the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense, who reportedly stated that Pashto is Afghanistan’s national and official language, while Dari has official-language status.
The comments have sparked opposing reactions among Afghans, with some welcoming greater recognition and practical use of Pashto, while others have challenged the interpretation of the country’s linguistic and constitutional history.