Dera Ismail Khan, KP – January 3, 2026
The Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Burki Welfare Association (BWA), a community-based partner organization, to promote the poetry of the Ormuri language.

The MoU was signed by FLI’s Executive Director, Fakhruddin Akhunzada, while Arif Zaman Burki, President of BWA, represented the Ormuri language community. The ceremony was attended by members of BWA and the FLI team.

Earlier in the day, a preparatory meeting was held at a local hotel where 17 members of the Ormuri language community, all affiliated with BWA, participated. Ormuri poet Rozi Khan welcomed the FLI delegation, led by its Executive Director. Program Manager Naseem Haider outlined the objectives of the one-year project, while Mr. Akhunzada shared FLI’s targets and future ambitions.

During the session, Rozi Khan Burki introduced participants to the Ormuri alphabets. The project aims to capacitate Ormuri poets to write and read in their language, record their poetry digitally, and publish their creative works—marking a significant step toward preserving and promoting Ormuri literary heritage.

Peshawar, Dec 30 – The Anjuman Taraqqi Damiyan Basha in collaboration with the Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI) organized a seminar dedicated to the Dameli language and culture. The highlight of the program was the launch of Push Bati (Bouquet of Flowers), a poetry collection by renowned Dameli poet Muhammad Akram Khaksar, published by FLI.

The event, held at SS Club Hotel Peshawar, featured scholarly papers, dialogues, and poetry recitations. Mr. Saeed Ahmad Saeed, Secretary PMD, graced the occasion as chief guest, while Mr. Mehrban Elahi Hanfi, President of Anjuman Taraqqi Khowar (Peshawar chapter) and Assistant Director, Public Service Commission, presided over the session. Mr. Fakhruddin Akhunzada, Director of FLI, traveled from Islamabad to attend and enrich the gathering.

A large number of Dameli elders, scholars, and youth residing in Peshawar participated enthusiastically. Chairman ATD, Asmatullah Dameli, expressed gratitude to FLI staff, particularly Director Mr. Fakhruddin Khanzada, for their pivotal role in publishing the book. He emphasized that the current standing of the Dameli language owes much to FLI’s efforts and hoped for continued support.

Speaking at the seminar, the Executive Director of FLI praised Khaksar’s remarkable poetry, noting that Push Bati will play a vital role in promoting Dameli literature, preserving the language, and inspiring the younger generation to engage with Dameli literary traditions.

The program concluded with Dameli poets reciting their verses, adding beauty and depth to the gathering. Members of Anjuman Taraqqi Damiyan Basha thanked all participants for their presence and contributions, which ensured the success of the event.

Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI) has announced the publication of the first-ever poetry anthology in the Kalkoti language. The book was unveiled yesterday in a ceremony held in Kalkot village, Upper Dir, attended by over 100 participants including poets, educators, elders, youth, and cultural advocates.

Kalkoti, a Dardic language spoken by approximately 15,000 people in the Kalkot area of Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, has long existed primarily in oral form. This anthology marks the first time the community’s poetic expressions—its emotions, landscapes, and traditions—have been captured in written form.

The journey began when local researchers approached FLI with a vision to develop their language. With FLI’s support in training and mentorship, the community established the Kalkoti Community Welfare Organization (KCWO), dedicated to linguistic and cultural development.

Together, they crafted a writing system for Kalkoti and launched a year-long initiative to nurture poetic expression. The newly published anthology is the culmination of this creative and collaborative effort.

FLI congratulates the Kalkoti community on this remarkable achievement and reaffirms its commitment to supporting Pakistan’s indigenous languages.

We are honored to announce the launch of a poetry collection by the late Abdul Manan Gawar, a revered voice from the Gawarbati language community. This publication marks a significant step in preserving and celebrating the literary heritage of a language spoken by few but cherished by many.

The journey of this book began with Abdullah, whose dedication to collecting Abdul Manan Gawar’s work ensured that these powerful verses would not be lost to time. His efforts led to the material being shared with us for publication, and today, we proudly witness its impact.

In a heartwarming ceremony organized by Al-Qalam, a community-based organization rooted in the Gawarbati language group, the book was officially launched. The event drew a vibrant gathering of students, writers, book lovers, and government officers working in the region. Together, they paid tribute to the late poet’s legacy and expressed deep appreciation to FLI for its role in preserving and promoting this cultural treasure.

This moment is more than a book launch—it is a celebration of identity, memory, and resilience. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Gawarbati language community for this remarkable achievement. May this collection inspire future generations to honor their roots and continue the journey of cultural expression.

FLI-affiliated author Moulana Fazal Haq Barq, from the Kalkoti language community, has been honored with the prestigious Presidential Award for his literary contribution. His  work—a Sirat book written in his mother tongue—was selected for the government’s annual recognition of authors and researchers who contribute to the topic.

Mr. Barq has been an active trainee of the Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI) since its engagement with the Kalkoti  language community began a few years ago. He played a vital role in the development of the Kalkoti orthography.

It is worth highlighting that FLI has been working closely with the Kalkoti community to preserve and promote their linguistic heritage. Just two years ago, FLI successfully finalized the writing system for the Kalkoti language, developed both PC and Android keyboards, and published the first alphabet book. All these resources are helping the community for their literary work. Currently, a poetry collection featuring the works of 15 Kalkoti poets is in development, further showcasing the community’s rich literary tradition and FLI’s continued commitment to linguistic empowerment.