KARACHI: Television hosts Nida Yasir and Yasir Nawaz have drawn criticism on social media after their son, Balaj, appeared with them on a recent morning show. The family shared a light-hearted conversation during the program.
However, the discussion quickly sparked online debate as viewers questioned Balaj’s fluency in Urdu and discussed the importance of preserving a child’s mother language.
During the show, Nida asked Balaj how his father helped him prepare for school each morning. Before he responded, Yasir jokingly reminded his son that they were speaking on live television and should choose their words carefully. The comment amused both the audience and the hosts.
Balaj then explained that his father wakes him up every morning by opening the bedroom window and waiting on the sofa until he gets out of bed. His response created a relaxed atmosphere throughout the segment.
As the conversation continued, Balaj occasionally paused while speaking Urdu and switched between Urdu and English. Consequently, Nida encouraged him to use English whenever he felt more comfortable. She assured her son that mixing both languages during conversation was completely acceptable.
Soon afterward, video clips from the interview spread widely across social media platforms. Many users criticized the couple, claiming Balaj appeared uncomfortable expressing himself in Urdu despite growing up in Pakistan.
Several social media users argued that children should learn English because it offers educational and professional opportunities. However, they also stressed that parents should encourage fluency in their native language.
Meanwhile, other users noted that many children raised abroad speak both English and their mother tongue with confidence. Therefore, they questioned why children living in their home country should struggle to communicate in their native language.
The discussion has since fueled a broader conversation about bilingual education, parenting choices, and the role families play in preserving cultural and linguistic identity.
