Anjuman-e-Imdadul Muslimeen

By the middle of last century Gilgit Baltistan (GB) was the remotest area of the region. Only communication was possible through tracking the high mountains to reach Kashmir or KPK for trade or education purposes. Barter was the most used system to sale and purchase goods required. People were governed by FCR through local Rajas and village headmen. During separation of Indo Pak and later on revolution of GB (1947-48) and its annexation to Pakistan, people were not aware of even basic human rights or requirements. Education was the most affected and unattended sector. Due to unawareness locals considers schools and education as against their religion and culture. Some of the villagers even agitated against education and destroyed the primary schools in more remote valleys of Gilgit. During 1950s only a middle school (now Sir Syed Model School Gilgit) with a few Primary Schools was setup in other valleys of the region. Only a few fortunate and wealthy students could reach Muzaffarabad or Peshawar for their SSC examinations. Most of the boys were not sent to school or not able to continue their education beyond primary and middle level. Youth of remote valleys surrounding Gilgit who hardly managed their middle and SSC education rightly thought to initiate education awareness campaigns in the area as well as providing facilities and incentives to encourage and attract the parents/students towards education. A cadre of literate youth belonging to Bagrote valley of Gilgit started their efforts during 1950. Their prime objective was to awareness raising as well as to provide educational facilities. A chain of self-help primary schools was started in each village of Bagrote. By early 60s a number of boys were enrolled and passed their primary levels. The most challenging hindrance was non availability of boarding/accommodation facilities in Gilgit to continue the education for middle level. The intellectual group of youth decided to construct a boarding house in Gilgit to provide free accommodation to students of the remote valleys of Gilgit making them able to continue their education. Thus the first ever civil society organization for education and social welfare was setup by local community of the Gilgit.