Islamabad, April 14, 2025—A five-day linguistic workshop focusing on Pakistan’s undocumented and under-documented languages commenced today at the English Department of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Islamabad. This workshop is being facilitated by renowned linguist Dr. Henrik Liljegren, Head of the Department of Linguistics at Stockholm University, Sweden. Coorganized by the Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI) and AIOU, the event showcases a collaborative effort to preserve the linguistic heritage of Pakistan.

With nearly 40 participants, including PhD scholars, university faculty members, and representatives from FLI’s target regions, the workshop brings together a diverse group of language enthusiasts. At least 16 indigenous languages, including Urdu, Pashto, Hindko, Saraiki, Pahari-Pothwari, Shina, Kohistani Shina, Khowar, Burushaski, Torwali, Indus Kohistani, Dameli, Mewati, Brokskat, Palula, and Gojri, are being represented. Notably, women make up one-quarter of the participants, adding an inclusive dimension to the event.

The opening session was filled with enthusiasm as Dr. Kamal, Head of the English Department at AIOU, welcomed the participants and esteemed guests. Dr. Henrik Liljegren elaborated on the objectives and structure of the workshop, setting the stage for an intensive learning experience. The event’s Chief Guest, Director of Administration Dr. Amir, commended FLI for its vital contribution to fostering the linguistic diversity of Pakistan.

During the session, Mr. Fakhruddin Akhunzada, Executive Director of FLI, emphasized the importance of preserving Pakistan’s nearly 80 languages, many of which face endangerment due to a lack of institutional support. “Universities play a crucial role in preserving and promoting the linguistic diversity of Pakistan. We hope to see them establish research centers dedicated to indigenous languages,” he remarked. He further highlighted the need for collaborative efforts between universities, local communities, and linguistic experts to document endangered languages and develop educational programs that ensure their preservation across generations.

The workshop is designed to equip participants with the skills to analyze and document the linguistic structures of undocumented languages. It also aims to raise awareness of ongoing global and local documentation efforts while introducing participants to areas such as typology, language variation, contact patterns, and language classification. Hands-on experience with key resources such as databases, literature, and specialized software forms a significant part of the workshop.

The collaboration between FLI and state-owned institutions like AIOU underscores a commitment to establishing a sustainable framework for language documentation in Pakistan. While the primary focus remains on the northern regions of the country, FLI aims to extend the reach of its efforts beyond its immediate target areas.

The workshop will conclude on April 17, equipping participants to further their work in language documentation and contribute to exploring and preserving the rich linguistic diversity of Pakistan.

We are thrilled to share some exciting news! FLI trainees from the Indus Kohistani community have achieved a major milestone with the publication of TWO important books:
A Riddle Book: Featuring over 40 riddles with translations in Urdu and English, this is a delightful addition to children’s literature in Indus Kohistani. Huge applause for Mr. Mutabar Shah Rashid, a senior researcher and FLI trainee, for his dedication and hard work!
Rhetoric, Morphology, and Syntax of Indus Kohistani: This Urdu-language book, written by the remarkable Faizi brothers—Dr. Hussain Ahmad Faizi and Mufti Rashid Ahmed Faizi Advocate—dives deep into the technical aspects of linguistics and sets a high standard for literature in the language.
We are incredibly proud to support such inspiring contributions to the preservation and development of Indus Kohistani. These works show the power of local researchers stepping into fields traditionally dominated by others, and we hope they motivate many more to explore their potential.
Let’s celebrate the achievements of Mr. Mutabar Shah Rashid, Dr. Hussain Ahmad Faizi, and Mufti Rashid Ahmed Faizi Advocate!

On February 21st, coinciding with International Mother Language Day, dozens of Bateri language speakers gathered in Kohistan to mark a historic moment—the first publication in their mother tongue, the Bateri Alphabet. The event, held at a nearby school, was joyously attended by community members who eagerly celebrated the debut of the book in their language. Students were given copies of the book to familiarize themselves with their own alphabets. Language activists from the Indus Kohistani group also joined the celebration, showing their support and solidarity.

Prior to this milestone, the Bateri language was solely an oral tool. It was not until the Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI) intervened a year ago that the transformation began. The initial step was to determine if the community wished to preserve their linguistic heritage or shift to another language. The Bateri speakers’ profound love for their linguistic identity motivated FLI to collaborate with them for the development of their language. Educated individuals from the community dedicated themselves to this cause, engaging consistently from the start to the end to turn their dream into reality.

Today, the community celebrates their remarkable achievement. They have transitioned their language into written form, eliminating the need to use Roman script to express themselves. Their language now stands as a powerful tool for them to write whatever they think and feel.

We congratulate all those from the Bateri language group who dreamed of making their language a medium for literature development. This success is a testament to their perseverance and commitment. We also urge the young people from the community to continue using their language on social media and in all aspects of their lives. The journey of the Bateri language has just begun, and its future is bright.

FLI, like always has once again presented an overview of its last year’s achievements highlighting some important gains of the year. FLI is celebrating Ms. Iram Jafar, a FLI trainee from Shina language community who has published her debut book. FLI has reached out to Saraiki speaking government primary schoolteachers with a program of training them in Saraiki training based on its pilot project, it executed in Upper Chitral. FLI has a plan to train at least 100 schoolteachers from Saraiki language. FLI has also signed a MoU with Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad.

You can go through the soft version of our Newsletter (Annual Report 2024) by clicking the link.  https://fli-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Annual-Report-2024.pdf