On Sunday, there was a ceremony in Karachi, Pakistan, where three groups (National Students Federation, National Women Front, and National Workers Front of Gilgit-Baltistan) revealed a flag and presented their newly elected leaders. The event also included a discussion with representatives from student organizations in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. The National Students Federation of Gilgit-Baltistan and the National Workers Front chose their new presidents (Azhar Uddin and Basharat Hussain Mehdi) by-elections. Ghazala Nazir and Ali Ahmed Jan were also selected to be on the committees for these groups.
Anayat Baig called the National Workers Front in Gilgit-Baltistan. Baig said that young people are crucial in the struggle against being controlled by other countries. He also stated having a third group is essential. Baig also spoke about the beliefs of the National Workers Front, which include being loyal to your country by making positive changes, and motivating young people to join the group and work towards creating a powerful movement.
The new leaders of Gilgit-Baltistan made a public speech to protect human rights by promising to work hard. They said that young people had found a youthful political organization with the help of national fronts. For the first time, the flag’s font was shown to the public during the event. The flag is black, red, and blue, with a white star in the middle. The leaders explained the symbolism and elements behind the flag’s colours to the attendance.
During a panel discussion, people from different student groups discussed the political, social, and economic future of Gilgit-Baltistan. National Students Federation and National Workers Fronts of Gilgit-Baltistan were praised and congratulated for their newly elected cabinets. It was said, “it is important to solve the political problems in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir through appropriate methods.” They also strongly criticized attempts to take land and resources from the local people in Gilgit-Baltistan by pretending to be the Khalsa Sarkar.
A panel member shared a story of a student who spoke up about human rights problems in Gilgit-Baltistan and was subsequently harmed and arrested. The speaker spoke about the importance of standing together to defend their rights. They also emphasized the abuse of people in Gilgit-Baltistan. Another panellist, representing the Karakoram Students Organization, spoke about the hardships students in Gilgit-Baltistan face, such as lack of good education, electricity and clean water.
The event showed the progress of a movement led by young people in Gilgit-Baltistan. This movement is a new choice for people in the region to consider.
