Stop for a moment and picture the mountains here in Gilgit-Baltistan. They are stunning, right? But sometimes, behind that incredible beauty, there is a heavy silence the silence of a community that feels forgotten.

I’m talking about our Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). For them, life is not just about the natural hardship of living in the mountains it’s about a constant, grinding battle against a world that simply was not built for them.

It’s More Than Just a Lack of Ramps. It’s About Dignity.

Imagine trying to live your life when every public space the school, the bank, the clinic is a barrier.

It’s heartbreaking: there are virtually no accessible facilities. No ramps, no suitable bathrooms, and no easy way to get around. This is not just an inconvenience it’s an invisible wall that shouts, “You don’t belong here.” Our friends and neighbors are not disabled by their conditions they are disabled by our society.

And the struggle does not end there:

• No Education, No Future: Many kids can not get an education because local schools are not set up to help them. Without skills, without a degree, they have no hope of a job. They are trapped, and their entire family suffers with them.
• Laws That Don’t Matter: We have laws on the books that promise rights, jobs, and protection, but they are empty words. They are not enforced, and so the people who need them most are left vulnerable, with nowhere to turn.

The Gilgit-Baltistan’s Goodwill Movement: We Won’t Let Them Be Forgotten

That’s why the Gilgit-Baltistan’s Goodwill Movement (GBGM) exists. We are led by people who have lived this struggle, and our mission is simple: We want to make sure every single person here is treated with dignity, has equal opportunity, and can live a full life.

We are not just giving out charity we are investing in human potential.

• Real Skills, Real Jobs: We provide free training teaching digital skills, crafts, and trades. We are turning helplessness into hope, and dependency into self-respect.
• Essential Lifelines: We pay for the things that are too expensive for families to afford: crucial medicines, healthcare support, and devices like wheelchairs, white canes and hearing aids that are literally life changing.
• Our Voice, Their Rights: We are constantly fighting and advocating. We stand up to authorities, demanding that the laws meant to protect PWDs are finally put into action.

This Is Where You Come In. This Is Your Chance to Help.

When you support GBGM, you are not just clicking a “donate” button. You are personally lifting the weight off someone’s shoulders.

You are giving a student a chance to learn. You are giving an artist a way to earn a living. You are giving a family the comfort of knowing their loved one will get the medicine they need.

We can not change the whole world overnight, but together, right here in Gilgit-Baltistan, we can change everything for the people who need us most.

join our movement. Help us break these chains of exclusion and prove that goodwill is not just a kind thought it is an action that saves lives.

Every year, December 3rd is celebrated worldwide as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The theme for 2024 is Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future,” which calls for a stronger leadership role for PWDs in shaping a more equitable world. However, in Gilgit-Baltistan, the government’s efforts to empower persons with disabilities remain mere lip service.

While the government claims to be working for the welfare of persons with disabilities, the reality on the ground is far from satisfactory. The government’s efforts are limited to just observing this day, with no concrete steps taken to address the pressing issues faced by persons with disabilities. The focus is on advertising and showcasing their efforts rather than taking tangible steps to empower persons with disabilities.

One of the major issues is the lack of accessible infrastructure, including schools, healthcare facilities, and public buildings. The government has failed to provide basic facilities, leaving persons with disabilities to fend for themselves. Furthermore, the government has not implemented the GB Disability Act 2019, which was passed by the assembly. The act remains a piece of paper, with no rules or business framed to implement it.

The government needs to take concrete steps to address the issues faced by persons with disabilities. Instead of just distributing assistive devices, the government should focus on creating opportunities for persons with disabilities to become self-sufficient. The government should establish special education complexes in every district, with hostel facilities, so that persons with disabilities can access education and live independently. Moreover, the government should ensure that schools have accessible infrastructure and trained teachers to support students with disabilities.

Let’s make December 3rd a day of true empowerment for persons with disabilities. The government must move beyond mere lip service and take tangible steps to ensure inclusivity and equality for all.

Most of the time, what humans perceive is limited to the visible—the rational body: the eyes, mouth, nose, and ears. These physical markers form the basis of societal judgments about an individual’s capabilities. However, this narrow focus often blinds society to a deeper truth: the immense potential and resilience of people with disabilities. While their abilities may not always align with conventional expectations, their contributions can be just as, if not more, valuable in unique and transformative ways.

The real irony lies in how the so-called “abled” are often disabled in their perspective. They fail to see beyond the physical and recognize the inherent worth and capabilities of people with disabilities. This is not merely a personal shortcoming but a societal failure, rooted in long-standing biases and structural inequalities. In many cases, people with disabilities are viewed through a lens of pity or as recipients of charity rather than as individuals who can actively contribute to and enrich their communities.

Globally, this issue is particularly striking. The country of Pakistan is home to numerous communities that are well-off in terms of wealth and social capital. These communities have the resources, networks, and influence to drive change, yet they often overlook the potential of people with disabilities. This neglect perpetuates a cycle of exclusion, where those with disabilities are marginalised not because they lack ability but because society lacks the vision to include them.

However, this also presents a significant opportunity. Imagine if these affluent communities leveraged their wealth and influence to champion inclusivity. They could:

1. Foster Inclusive Education: By funding accessible schools and scholarships for students with disabilities, they could open doors to education that is often denied due to physical or financial barriers.
2. Champion Employment Opportunities: Through targeted hiring practices and skill development programs, they could help integrate people with disabilities into the workforce, showcasing their productivity and creativity.
3. Promote Social Integration: Community leaders could use their platforms to challenge stereotypes, celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities, and promote a culture of acceptance.
4. Innovate in Accessibility: Investing in technology and infrastructure that prioritize accessibility could make public spaces, transportation, and digital platforms more inclusive.
5. Support Advocacy and Empowerment Initiatives: Collaborating with organizations like ours, these communities could amplify the voices of people with disabilities, ensuring their needs and rights are front and center in policy and development discussions.

Ultimately, the true disability lies in the inability to see beyond physical differences and to recognize the full spectrum of human potential. By shifting this perspective, society, particularly its more privileged segments, can unlock a wealth of untapped talent and drive meaningful progress towards a more inclusive future.

The I do not care fallacy

Most of us who live in the West, especially those of us who are emigrants, often find ourselves distanced—both physically and emotionally—from the realities of our home countries. Over time, many become engulfed in what can be called the “I do not care” fallacy. This mindset fosters a sense of detachment from the issues back home, driven by the belief that these problems are no longer relevant to our lives in the diaspora. It’s a fallacy because, whether we acknowledge it or not, our home countries remain integral to our identity, and their struggles often ripple out to affect us and future generations in subtle but profound ways.

Why Does This Detachment Happen?

1. Comfort of Stability: Many emigrants enjoy the relative stability, security, and opportunities that Western countries provide. This comfort can make the hardships and challenges of our home countries seem distant or irrelevant.
2. Focus on Immediate Surroundings: The pressure to adapt and succeed in a foreign environment often leads people to focus exclusively on their immediate lives—careers, families, and social circles—leaving little room to engage with issues from home.
3. Disillusionment with the System: Corruption, instability, or lack of progress in home countries can breed cynicism. People may feel that their contributions or concerns would make little difference.
4. Generational Shift: For second and third-generation emigrants, the connection to their ancestral homeland may be more cultural than practical, leading to a further dilution of concern for current affairs.

The Impact of the “I Do Not Care” Fallacy

This mindset, however, can be harmful in several ways:

1. Loss of Collective Responsibility: Diaspora communities often have the resources, knowledge, and influence to drive change back home. Their apathy means that these opportunities are missed, leaving critical gaps in areas like education, healthcare, and social development.
2. Erosion of Identity: Disconnection from one’s roots can lead to a gradual loss of cultural identity, which often weakens the bond between generations in diaspora families.
3. Missed Advocacy Opportunities: Living in the West provides access to platforms where voices can be amplified. Failing to use these platforms to advocate for issues in home countries diminishes the global awareness of those challenges.

Communities:

1. Missed Financial Support: Diaspora communities have significant financial potential, often contributing to remittances. However, a lack of targeted support for disability-focused initiatives means that crucial resources fail to reach those who need them most.
2. Limited Access to Global Networks: Many disabled individuals lose out on opportunities to benefit from global exposure, such as scholarships, training programs, or technological advancements, which diaspora members could facilitate.
3. Insufficient Advocacy: Advocacy for disability rights and inclusion in home countries is often weak. The diaspora, with its access to international platforms and policy circles, could amplify these voices but rarely does so.
4. Underdeveloped Infrastructure: A more engaged diaspora could help fund and develop infrastructure for accessibility, such as inclusive schools, workplaces, and public spaces. In its absence, disabled individuals are left navigating an environment that marginalizes them further.

Reconnecting for Impact

To bridge this gap, diaspora communities need to recognize their potential as catalysts for change. Here’s how they can make a meaningful difference:

1. Support Disability-Focused Initiatives: Collaborate with local organizations working to empower people with disabilities. Financial aid, skills training, and mentorship programs can transform lives.
2. Promote Inclusive Development: Advocate for policies and programs in home countries that prioritize accessibility and inclusion. Use influence to push for systemic changes.
3. Create Opportunities: Facilitate connections between disabled individuals and global opportunities. Scholarships, remote work, and exchange programs could help them gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive.
4. Leverage Technology: Diaspora members in tech industries can introduce affordable assistive technologies and digital tools to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities back home.
5. Foster Awareness: Use platforms in the West to highlight the struggles and successes of disabled individuals in home countries, shifting narratives and challenging societal biases.

By breaking free from the “I do not care” fallacy, the diaspora can transform from passive observers to active contributors. In doing so, they can open doors of opportunity for those who need it most, ensuring that people with disabilities are not left behind in the journey toward progress and inclusivity.

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Gilgit-Baltistan Goodwill Movement and Northern Areas Transport Corporation Forge Partnership to Support People with Disabilities

Location: NATCO Head Office, Gilgit

In a significant move to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities (PWDs) in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Gilgit-Baltistan Goodwill Movement (GBGM) and Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership will focus on providing relief equipment to PWDs across Gilgit-Baltistan, with deliveries to be facilitated by Daraz.

The agreement was formally signed at an event held in Gilgit by Farhan Baig, President of GBGM, Mahesh Sarwar, Project Manager of GBGM, and Rashid Feroz, General Manager of Cargo at NATCO.

Key Aspects of the Agreement:

• NATCO will provide delivery services across various regions in Gilgit-Baltistan.
• The agreement spans three years, ensuring a sustained commitment to initiatives supporting PWDs and other disadvantaged groups.
• GBGM will identify and prioritize the specific needs of PWDs, coordinating with NATCO to ensure safe, reliable, and timely delivery of assistance.

The partnership underscores a shared mission to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Farhan Baig and Mehwish Sarwar highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, “This partnership marks a pivotal step toward improving the lives of PWDs in remote areas. NATCO’s support will be instrumental in making essential aid accessible across the region.”

Rashid Feroz, General Manager of Cargo at NATCO, emphasized the corporation’s commitment to welfare, adding, “GBGM has shown a deep commitment to the well-being of people with disabilities in Gilgit-Baltistan, and we are proud to support their efforts through our welfare initiatives.”

Courtesy: Gilgit Media Network

Are disabled people abused in society?

To understand this better, we can apply the analytical lens of political scientist Mancur Olson, who explored the concept of “abuse” as a factor influencing societal behavior. Olson’s work focuses on how individuals and groups operate within systems of power and how these systems impact their opportunities and well-being through rational choice.

In Olson’s framework, abuse can be seen as a manifestation of power imbalances within a society. When we broaden the term “abuse,” it encompasses more than just direct mistreatment; it also includes the subtle, systemic power relations that disadvantage certain groups. Abuse, in this context, is not just about overt harm but also about the lack of access to resources and opportunities, which reflects a deeper power disparity.

For many disabled individuals and those living in poverty, this power imbalance becomes evident. They often lack the same access to resources, social networks, and opportunities as those who are more privileged. This disparity is not merely an individual failing but a reflection of systemic issues where power and resources are unevenly distributed.

Using Mancur Olson’s perspective, he suggests that the state of being “helpless” is deeply entwined with these power relations, as it is rational and logical not to change things and keep the status quo (see Olson’s 1967 The Logic of Collective Action)

It highlights that what we often perceive as individual weakness or dependency can be a consequence of broader societal dynamics. In this light, the helplessness of the disabled and impoverished is not solely an individual condition but a symptom of the larger societal structures that fail to provide equal opportunities and support.

The question then arises, why do we like to abuse the disabled, the poor, the weak etc? Is it not time that we wake up and resolve this?