1. Why do you think there is a need to promote Urdu as a language?

Urdu has approximately the twentieth largest population of native speakers, among all languages. There are between 60 and 80 million native speakers of standard Urdu. Urdu is the national and one of the two official languages of Pakistan. I think there is a great need to promote our language.

2. Could you tell us that what percentage of Urdu speaking people is residing abroad and what percentage would actually use these Urdu applications?

There are approximately 7 million Pakistanis living abroad and I think a large percentage of Pakistanis who use iPhone, would use the application.

3. What actually motivated to create such software for an iPhone? and how did the Pakistani community abroad respond to the app?

After searching extensively for an Urdu Dictionary app, the results were disappointing. From there, I thought of developing my own iPhone application and I think it was really a nice experience.

4. You’ve mentioned that students can benefit from this software, however since iPhone is a luxury product, the benefit doesn’t always trickle down to masses. Is it realistic to assume that a student living abroad would use an Urdu application?

It is bit hard for everyone to afford such a luxury product but many students living abroad are able to afford the iPhone easily and the future of iPhone is really bright so I hope Urdu speakers all over the world would love this dictionary as a helpful tool.

5. How different is your software from the existing software in Urdu? What are its unique features?
Urdu Translator was the first iPhone dictionary for Urdu language. Users can search for different words and they can also create their favourites list.

6. What kind of support has MEDL extended to you?
When idea of developing an IPhone Urdu app came into my mind, I developed the first basic version of the application. Later, I contacted MEDL mobile and requested them to support this App. They developed the professional user interface of the app with fast search functionality.

7. Why don’t more people develop applications in Urdu?

Our society is not really advanced in terms of use of Technology and research. Most of the work being done in the IT field is really restricted to English language. Also, we do not have big investment opportunities and support to work on different projects. As technology would grow in Pakistan, I think there would be more applications developed in Urdu language.

8. How can such applications like yours, help in overcoming the digital divide, when the use of iPhone has still not permeate down to the masses? We’d assume that the general audience would be able to really benefit from the app since Urdu is probably the only language they know!

I think general iPhone audience would love to download the app and use it on daily basis. Currently there are less iPhone users in Pakistan but technology is growing really fast and iPhone will soon have a major market in Pakistan too. I think more Urdu apps would be developed by other companies too which would permeate down to masses but it is going to take some time.

9. You are a student. Can we assume that this can be a possible career for you?

I am not an IT guy, I am student of Business but I do have a lot of interest is in Information Technology. A combination of business and IT might generate some more ideas and apps, in short yes it might become a career for me.