Rehmat Aziz Khan Chitrali Biography

Profile Sketch: Rehmat Aziz Khan Chitrali

Rehmat Aziz Khan Chitrali, born on April 25,1970, is a prominent Pakistani linguist and poet dedicated to the study and preservation of the languages of Northern Pakistan. He is widely recognized as a linguist activist and has made significant contributions to the development of the Khowar language, his native tongue. Chitrali has played a crucial role in creating an orthography, dictionary, and even a translator for Khowar, along with spearheading the translation of the Quran into the language.

Chitrali hails from Chitral, a region in Pakistan, and is the son of Dur Khan and Bibi Hoorana Begum. His father belongs to the Khoshey tribe, while his mother is from the Ziley tribe, both of which are part of the Kho people. As a linguist and poet, Chitrali has been actively involved in various language-related organizations and institutions. He has served as the president of Anjuman-e-Taraqui-e-Khowar and Khowar Academy, leading efforts to promote and advance the Khowar language.

Chitrali's dedication to the linguistic heritage of his region extends to his professional endeavors as well. He works for Chitraro Hawaz, also known as 'Voice of Chitral, ' at ATV Khyber Media Group. Additionally, he is associated with Khyber News newspapers, where he contributes in Khowar. During the Taliban takeover in certain parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Chitrali actively edited Wikipedia and took the lead in initiating the Khowar Wikipedia project.

For his outstanding contributions to the languages of Pakistan, Chitrali was honored with the Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan Gold Medal Award in 2015 by the Nazriya-e-Pakistan Council. In 2009, the Karachi branch of Anjuman-e-Tarraqui-e-Khowar demanded that Chitrali be recognized with a Civil Award and have a road named after him in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, acknowledging his invaluable work.

Chitrali's extensive work encompasses the development of language software. He has created a software called KHOWAR, which supports multiple languages, including Shina, Balti, Pashto, Kohistani, Dameli, Gujari, Dari, Ormuri, Yidgha, Hindko, Pahari-Pothwari, Torwali, and, of course, Khowar. He dedicated two hours of daily work to develop keyboard software for these languages, benefiting a wide range of users.

Furthermore, Chitrali has authored dictionaries for Burushaski and Khowar, showcasing his commitment to preserving and promoting these languages. His poetic talent is also evident in his Khowar language poetry collection titled 'Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) , ' which earned him third place at the national level in the National Seerath competition. In addition, he has authored a vocabulary book for Khowar, further contributing to the linguistic resources available for learners and speakers of the language.

Rehmat Aziz Khan Chitrali's work as a linguist, poet, and language advocate has had a profound impact on the study, preservation, and promotion of the languages of Northern Pakistan. His dedication to his native language, Khowar, and his efforts to support other regional languages have earned him widespread recognition and acclaim. Chitrali's contributions have significantly enriched the linguistic and cultural landscape of the region, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.