GILGIT: The Karakoram International University (KIU) opened its Diamer campus in Chilas the other day. The inaugural ceremony was held in the university’s auditorium.

KIU Vice Chancellor Dr Attaullah Shah, Brig Imtiaz Ahmed, Diamer deputy commissioner Dildar Malik, faculty members, students, and a large number of civil society activists attended the ceremony.

The speakers said handful of extremists could not deprive Diamer people from the right of education. They said torching girls schools could not discourage them from human development and progress.

The speakers wowed to promote education in Diamer by defeating elements who opposed girls education. It is to mention here that 14 girls schools were torched in the district early this month.

On the occasion, Dr Attaullah said establishment of KIU campus in Diamer was his top priority and he had succeeded in his mission.

He said special courses and subjects would be offered to students so they could be employed in the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

Director Diamer campus Dr Mohammad Shahnawaz said 128 students 32 girls among them had got admission in the campus. Initially four subjects were being offered, and from the next semester more subjects would be offered, he said.

Brig Ahmed said Pakistan Army would remove all hurdles in provision of education opportunities to the people in the district. He said parents should send their children in educational institutions without fear.

Meanwhile, two GB ministers from the district, Imran Wakeel and Haider Khan, walked out of the event as they alleged that the organisers humiliated them.

Speaking at a press conference, the ministers claimed that they were invited by the KIU administration to attend the inaugural ceremony of the campus, but they were given seats in the audience.

They said the bureaucracy did not give them the respect they deserved as representatives of the people.

The ministers claimed they struggled for establishment of the KIU’s Diamer campus.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2018