GB govt decides to restore Karakoram Examination Board

GILGIT: In a move to address the challenges faced by Karakoram International University, the Gilgit-Baltistan government has formed a specialized committee for the reinstatement of the Karakoram Examination Board, Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan said on Saturday.

The university has been grappling with financial difficulties, leading to fee hikes and subsequent protests by students, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions. In 2018, the government decided to shift the affiliation of all government schools across the ten districts of Gilgit-Baltistan to the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE).

While this move aimed to “standardize education” across the region, it inadvertently led to a financial crisis for Karakoram International University (KIU). The university, which previously managed these affiliations, faced a significant reduction in revenue, exacerbating its financial challenges.

However, on Saturday, GB CM, while addressing a laptop distribution ceremony at KIU main campus in Gilgit, announced the formation of the committee composed of GB cabinet members, saying the Karakoram Examination Board would be reinstated soon.

“The move aimed to resolve the university’s financial challenges and enhance the accessibility of examination-related services for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan,” he said. The chief minister emphasised the importance of modernizing education to meet contemporary needs.

He highlighted that the laptop scheme was instrumental in bringing education in line with modern requirements and viewed it as an investment in Pakistan’s future by empowering the youth with technology.

Gulbar Khan also acknowledged the pivotal role of Karakoram International University in promoting higher education and research in Gilgit-Baltistan, calling it a national asset. He assured ongoing support for the university’s development and welfare. Earlier, the chief minister distributed laptops among the students. Over 650 laptops under the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme were distributed on the occasion.

The initiative is a key component of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, aimed at empowering young people with modern technology and enhancing their educational skills.

KIU Vice-Chancellor Dr Attaullah Shah expressed gratitude for the provincial government’s consistent support, especially during challenging times. The ceremony also featured remarks from Muhammad Majid Mustafa, the Higher Education Commission’s Regional Coordinator for the Laptop Scheme, who congratulated the recipients and discussed the HEC’s priorities for promoting higher education in Pakistan, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan.

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The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Provincial Minister of Education Ghulam Shahzad Agha, Provincial Minister of Information Technology Suriya Zaman, Special Assistant to CM on Youth Affairs Zabihullah, Chief Minister’s Secretary Sanaullah Khan, and senior administrative and academic officers of the university, along with journalists and the students receiving the laptops.