On 3rd June 2016, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in collaboration with Karakoram International University organized a Debate Competition on Human Rights Education. A large number of students, faculty, management staff, dignitaries, and guests from all spheres of life attended the event at Musharraf Hall, Karakoram International University Gilgit. His Excellency, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman graced the event as the Chief Guest.

In this Inter-Departmental Debate Competition, Thirty-One (31) debaters participated; among them, one of the debaters was from Skardu Campus, who came all the way from Skardu to participate. The debaters made superb speeches and tried to convince the audience and judges through brilliant arguments on the theme “Should human rights education be part of our curriculum?” The program started with the recitation from the Holly Quran, followed the objectives of the program, shared by Mr. Israr-ud-Din Israr, the Coordinator, HRCP, Gilgit-Baltistan. The Focal Person of the event, Assistant Professor, Mr. Zafar Shakir, welcomed the guests and participants, and gave a brief talk on the theme of the debate topic, brought forth the rules to be followed by the debaters, and introduced the judges.
Ms. Sumaira Yasmeen, Associate Professor (Fatima Jinnah Govt. Degree College Gilgit), Mr. Ishtiaq Ahmed Yad, (Lecturer, Boys Degree College Gilgit), Mr. Sultan Ahmed, Assistant Professor, Department of Media and Communication, KIU and Dr. Sartaj Ali, Assistant Professor, Department of Dept of Food and Technology, KIU were the judges of the event. The debaters were invited one by one to present their speeches on the topic, who made excellent arguments, convinced the audience and judges, and received lots of appreciation. On special request, the renowned poets of Halqa-e-Arbaab-e-Zouq, Gilgit, Mr. Abdul Khaliq Taj, Mr. Jamsheed Khan Dukhi, Mr. Abdul Hafiz Shakir and Mr. Ghulam Abbas Naseem presented poetry on humanity, love, unity and co-existence, and received lots of applause from the audience. Since, it was Friday, therefore, an hour and a half time break was given for the prayer, and lunch, followed by an awareness walk, holding play cards, promoting Human Rights Education by all participants within the campus. Soon after the break, the event proceeded further, and the debates were completed. At the end of the Debates, Mr. Hafeez Buzdaar, the Coordinator HRCP, Lahore gave an introduction of HRCP Web TV and Radio.
In the meanwhile His-Excellency, the Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman entered Musharraf Hall as the Chief Guest of the event, who was formally welcomed by the Stage Secretary Mr. Zafar Shakir, who briefed about the event and the superb participation of the debaters. The debaters, organizers, judges and poets were given certificates and shields, followed by the Chief Guest’s Speech. At the end of the speech, the top best speakers were given the cash prizes and shields. Mr. Jamal Saeed, Department of Mathematics got the 1st Position and received Rs. 50000 cash prize with a shield, while Mr. Islam-ud-Din, Department of Earth Sciences and Mr. Zafar Ali Department of Chemistry got 2nd Positions, and received Rs. 20000 each with shield and the 3rd Position was also gotten by two debaters: Mr. Muzaffar Jan, Department of Economics and Mr. Iqbal Nasir Department of Business and Management; they were given Rs. 15000 each with the shields respectively by His-Excellency, the Chief Minister, Gilgit-Baltistan. Addressing the audience, the Chief Minister appreciated the event organizers and debaters. He said that it was the responsibility of all of us to develop a peaceful and progressing society, and work together, following merit in all walks of life. He further announced that Two Girls’ Hostels will be constructed at KIU, and a Sports Complex will be established. One Thousand (1000) laptops will be given to the best students of KIU on merit, and Campuses of KIU will be established in all districts of GB. Fatima Jinnah Girls College will be upgraded as a female university, and Medical College classes will commence soon.
Director General Coordination, Mr. Shahid Ali appreciated the organizers for conducting a successful event and extended his gratitude to the debaters. He thanked the Chief Minister for his valuable time in gracing the event as the Chief Guest. DGC emphatically asked the audience and organizers to implement and practice the Human Rights, because, without implementation, it would be a distant idea to develop a mosaic and developing society. At the end, the Provost, Dr. Manzoor Ali presented a resolution regarding Human Rights Education to be the part of the curriculum, endorsed by the audience, which was accepted by the Chief Minister. The event was concluded by the vote of thanks by the Provost.