In a recent podcast appearance, renowned Pakistani actress and host Ushna Shah made an emotional appeal to the Punjabi community, questioning the silence around their native language. Shah expressed concern over what she described as a cultural disconnect, noting that many Punjabis appear hesitant or even embarrassed to speak Punjabi in daily life.

Recalling her time living in both Karachi and Lahore, Shah compared linguistic pride across regions. She praised communities such as Sindhis, Pashtuns, and even Farsi-speaking groups for openly embracing their mother tongues in public and private settings.

The actress noted a stark contrast among urban Punjabis, particularly in educated circles, where Punjabi is often avoided in favor of Urdu or English.

“I just don’t understand what the issue is,” Ushna Shah said during the podcast
“Punjabi music is celebrated globally from Toronto to London but here at home, people hesitate to even speak the language. It’s sad.”

She added,
“We’re proud of being Punjabi when it comes to weddings and music, but when it comes to conversation and education, we hide it. That needs to change.”

Having grown up in Canada, Ushna Shah also reflected on her personal experience with language-related bias. She revealed that her foreign English accent has often been mocked, sometimes even within her own family. According to Shah, this reflects a deeper societal double standard, where individuals are criticized both for not speaking English well and for speaking it too well.

In her closing remarks, the actress made a heartfelt plea for cultural revival. She encouraged Punjabis, especially the younger generation, to reconnect with their linguistic heritage, reminding them of the global success Punjabi culture enjoys especially in music, where artists from both Pakistan and India have found international fame.

“Language is identity. The more we run from it, the more we lose who we are,” she concluded.