FLI Hosts Regional Partners’ Meeting in Peshawar to Advance Indigenous Language Empowerment

Peshawar, September 4, 2025 — The Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI) convened a partners’ meeting today in Peshawar, bringing together leaders from 14 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The one-day gathering served as a platform for reflection, collaboration, and renewed commitment to indigenous language preservation.
Over the past six months, these CBOs have been actively engaged in grassroots efforts to strengthen their mother tongues. The meeting spotlighted inspiring stories from the field, with Nasir Mansur of the Kateviri language community earning special praise for his work with a government school in his village. He trained children to deliver speeches in their native language during Independence Day celebrations on August 14 — a moving initiative that saw enthusiastic participation from young speakers.
Alauddin from the Yadgha language group surprised attendees with news of writers’ workshops held in both private and government schools in his region, nurturing literary expression among students. Another milestone was the first-time representation of the Mankiyali language, spoken by fewer than 500 people in Mansehra district. Aurangzeb’s presentation marked a significant step forward in visibility and advocacy for this endangered language.
Following the presentations, FLI facilitated a session focused on promoting indigenous languages through poetry. Participants were encouraged to engage poets from their communities, recognizing the power of verse in cultural preservation and linguistic pride.
The meeting also explored strategies to expand language documentation across diverse domains, with participants offering valuable feedback and ideas. In a major development, a provincial-level regional network was formed to unify efforts across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A dedicated WhatsApp group was launched to foster ongoing collaboration and coordination.
In the closing resolution, participants committed to advocating for linguistic rights through their elected representatives. Regional delegations were announced to engage with members of the provincial assembly, aiming to push forward a resolution that would reinforce the government’s commitment to indigenous language support.
FLI remains steadfast in its mission to empower communities, amplify voices, and ensure that the rich linguistic heritage of northern Pakistan continues to thrive.