After their latest visit to Gilgit Baltistan, Amtul Akthar, Chairperson of the Amna Begum Community Welfare Trust, called upon the Chief Executive Officer Ghulam Muhammad Baig of Gilgit Baltistan’s Goodwill Movement in London on Friday, the 25th of August, to discuss further matters in Gilgit Baltistan ABC’s last visit.

Conclusion of the ABC’s Trust Visit

Amtul Akthar appreciated the practical work of Mr. Farhan Baig, President, and his team. Amtul said ‘that in Gilgit Baltistan, there are very few entities that Ghulam and Farhan have established that are honest, effective communicators and have a good environment where Persons with Disabilities work. The other Director, Mr. Salim Akthar, contributed and added that he (Ghulam) is a good leader as he has given PWDs the right to express themselves and promotes each student individually. Ghulam and the board of advisors thanked them.

What was the outcome for the marginalised communities of Gilgit Baltistan?

We as the organization are very pleased that the ABC Trust supports us but certain common similarities such as the government not being able to effectively support us were discussed. While welfare provisions are mentioned in Gilgit Baltistan law, these acts are not implemented which both organisations need to work on. The ABC Trust is a supporter of GBGM because the organisation supports marginalised people as the ABC Trust supports orphans.

We believe that both organisations have the potential to raise awareness internationally for disabled persons or moreover the marginalised people of Gilgit Baltistan could not only be supported at the regional level, but we are unable to do this as some government officials are not concerned for the welfare of disabled persons by their actions and not words!!!

In the Podcast by Glasgow Disablity Alliance, I realized that Persons with Disablities must express their voice more clearly and bluntly. While I do not believe conflict is the right course of action, one must promptly reform their behavior if they are doing something wrong. This is the philosophy of Life. One’s ethics and conduct determine their social capital, whether they are unable to socialize, communicate, and network within their society, etc.

In Gilgit Baltistan, someone comes into or goes into power regardless of their intellectual level and freedom of thought. Dr. Saranjam Baig highlights that in Gilgit Baltistan, we (the people) are often scared of talking about such issues as ‘ they’ might look upon this as anti-state or anti-government. While we are in no position to change past circumstances, we can do it in the future https://www.facebook.com/ibexmedianetwork/videos/539903361567231

Nepotism

While I am no one to judge or measure nepotism, the thing is that it benefits a few, not many. We have to change our ideology, precisely regarding persons with disablities. I am not accusing anyone, certainly not a disabled person, but is it not apparent that the 18 crore and 66 lakhs suited someone’s agenda rather than disabled people themselves https://gbgoodwillmovement.com/the-recent-passage-of-the-budget-by-the-gilgit-baltistans-government/. This has to stop. Pakistan is a developing country, but the awareness of persons with disablities needs more investment.

Favoritism

Once you have a nepotistic state of mind, favoritism is your right hand. I should not be saying this, but this also happens in Gilgit Baltistan. This is unethical as some organizations working for Persons with disablities have some other expertise than others, as some might work on

• Spinal Cord injuries
• Cerebral Palsy
• Visual Impairments
• Intellectual disablities such as autism

Long term consequences

Due to nepotism and favoritism, disabled people often

• Lose out on vital funding.
• Mistrust officials
• Create an environment where there is misinformation/disinformation
• Lose out on important gains being made in the struggle to achieve fully disabled rights.

President Farhan and his team of the Goodwill Movement, recently presided over a crucial meeting with the responsible members of the Amna Begum Welfare Trust, focused on addressing the challenges faced by disabled individuals in Gilgit-Baltistan.

On the request of the CEO of Gilgit Baltistan’s Goodwill Movement – GBGM, Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Baig was hosted by Mr Anas Sarwar, local Scottish Labour Party leader and leader of the joint opposition in the Scottish Parliament. Mr Sarwar is the first Scottish Pakistani Labour Leader to serve in the Scottish Parliament and has served in the past in the National Health Service as a dentist, serving the local community.

Mr. Sarwar said,’ This is an opportunity for us to work together on the disability issue in Pakistan and Scotland.’ Mr Sarwar agreed to support the GBGM in his capacity. Mr. Baig thanked him for his support. Other items which were discussed on the agenda were: How can we work together for the disabled community and the other was how can they create a positive image of disabled South Asians within their community.

Some of the main points which were discussed were how both parties could contribute to disability awareness among Scottish South Asians, creating a positive image of South Asians Persons with Disablities in Scotland, and how they can further this aim in Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan.

If every opposition party leader entertained GBGM, as Anas Sarwar did, then we would have been a more inclusive society in Gilgit Baltistan.

The recent passage of the budget by the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly once again highlights a concerning pattern regarding the treatment of disabled individuals in the region. While the Chief Minister’s Package for disabled persons serves as a short-term measure, it is insufficient to address the long-term needs of this marginalized community.