Gilgit-Baltistan youth lash out at regional govt for failing to protect schools

By NISAR ALI

ISLAMABAD: GB Youth Forum and Diamer Youth Organization held a protest demonstration outside the National Press Club, strongly condemning the arson attack on the girls’ schools.

Speakers lashed out at the GB government for failing to go after a handful of terrorists, who have taken several valleys hostage at their whims.

The demonstration was attended among others by opposition leader in GB assembly, Cap (retd) Muhammad Shafi, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Amina Ansari, Human Right Activist Tahira Abdullah and hundreds of students and civil society members.

Speaking at the occasion, Capt. (r) Shafi said that Diamer is the entry point of Gilgit-Baltistan and the peace in the Diamer district was necessary to bring peace in the GB. He said that the torching of schools in the Diamer district was not first incident, it was commenced in 2008. Shafi added that less educated segment and simple people were always used by the distinct element for getting their nefarious interest.

Human rights activist Tahira Abdullah took the GB government and the federal government to task for their utter failure to protect girls’ right to education by becoming hostage to the whims of a handful of radicals and fanatics. She also called for legislation in the national parliament, ensuring girls’ access to education in a fearless environment. She also took the organizers to task for not inviting female members of GB especially the girl students to the protest rally. She urged them to call it a spade if they were really concerned about the girls’ education in GB.

The protester urged the government to dislodge the terrorist from the region by launching an operation. They, holding placards in hand, inscribed the slogan in favour of their demand, chanted slogan against the government for keeping deaf ear and blind eye on the activities of the terrorist in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan.