Uzbekistan denies reports of restrictions on Uzbek language use in Afghanistan

Reports claiming that restrictions are being imposed on the use of the Uzbek language in Afghanistan do not correspond to reality, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahror Burkhanov said.

According to him, after such claims circulated on social media, officials from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately established contact with their Afghan counterparts.

“Afghan officials categorically stated that these reports are false and that there are no restrictions whatsoever on the use of the Uzbek language in the country. They also emphasized that the Afghan government and people treat the brotherly Uzbek people and their language with deep respect,” the statement said.

An official representative of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that efforts are currently underway across the country to regulate signage at higher education institutions and general secondary schools “based on a unified standard.” Under this practice, inscriptions on the facades of educational institutions nationwide are displayed in three languages – Pashto, Dari, and English. At the same time, as an exception for the northern regions of the country, including Samangan University, it is envisaged that signage be presented in Pashto, Dari, and Uzbek.

It was also noted that, for the first time in the country’s history, the Afghan government plans to establish a master’s-level faculty of “Uzbek language and literature” at Jowzjan State University starting this year.

According to the Foreign Ministry representative, enhancing the international standing of the Uzbek language, expanding its broad and effective use, and properly promoting the native language within the global community is “one of the priority areas of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy and has consistently remained at the center of our attention.”