Chinese and English in Pakistan
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A road sign at the Gwadar Free Zone, operated by China Overseas Ports
Holding Company, in Gwadar, Balochistan, Pakistan. This port is a crucial part
of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. (Photograph dated July 4, 2018)
The photograph is from this article:
China’s increasing footprint in South Asia
Through economic and military relationships, China’s strategic expansion in South Asia challenges India's influence.
By Aparna Pande, GIS Reports Online (8/29/25)
No Urdu?
Selected readings
- "Is the Urdu script on the verge of dying?" (6/29/14)
- "Language in Pakistan", (12/28/2007)
- "Camp language" (12/31/2007)
- "Scripts, scriptures and scribes" (1/2/2008)
- "Urdu (?)-English vocabulary in Buddhist archeology and architecture" (2/8/21)
[h.t.: Bill Triplett]
46 said,
August 30, 2025 @ 6:51 am
It seems that most formal signage in Gwadar (and Balochistan in general) is in English. Urdu signs are occasionally found in addition to English, and often this "Urdu" text is actually English transcribed with Urdu alphabet. Exclusively Urdu (or "English in Urdu script") is only used in some shop signs and ads, or in graffiti.
Mandarin signage is primarily used in Gwadar port, but not outside it. I've checked some photos on Google Maps, and a couple of things caught my attention:
1) A checkpoint in the Gwadar port with the phrases 中巴友谊万岁 and پاک چین دوستی زندہ باد, both written vertically (even the part in Urdu, which is never written vertically) https://i.imgur.com/RMsdbKv.png
2) A motorcycle decorated with the text 一路平安 in a local market far away from the port https://i.imgur.com/9RThktZ.jpeg
Victor Mair said,
August 30, 2025 @ 10:06 am
For those who don't read Chinese and Urdu:
"yīlù píng'ān 一路平安" ("have a safe journey")
"Zhōng-Bā yǒuyì wànsuì" 中巴友谊万岁 ("Long live China-Pakistan friendship")
"Pak-Chin dosti zandah bad پاک چین دوستی زندہ باد" ("Long live Pakistan-China friendship")