Ghulam Muhammad Baig: Pioneering the Next Generation of Disability Advocates

Naeem Kandwal
Some people with disabilities have become well-known for dedicating their lives to supporting others with disabilities. Ghulam Muhammad Baig, a Scottish-Pakistani disabled activist, is one of these names working in the Global South. He founded and is the CEO of the nonprofit Gilgit Baltistan’s Goodwill Movement. Baig, who currently resides in Glasgow, Scotland, is originally from Hunza, Gilgit Baltistan. In 2006, at the age of seven, he relocated to the UK with his family. Success comes to those who embrace challenges. As a disabled student, he has several obstacles to overcome, yet he persists. He became the first disabled individual from Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) to graduate from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK, with a BA Honors in Politics and International Relations. In 2019, after realizing how hard it is for people like him to receive support and education in developing countries like Pakistan, he decided to support and advocate for Gilgit Baltistan’s disabled community in whatever way he could. This is where the idea for the Goodwill Movement originated. Proactively using social media during the first year of the COVID pandemic, Baig discovered a sizable group of volunteers, including well-known disabled activists from Gilgit Baltistan like Farhan Baig, Sehrish Kanwal, Abrar Ahmed, Mumtaz Ali, Abdul Hakeem, Mustafa Kamal, Najeeba Shaheen, Khushan Bano, and Ali Ahmed. GBGM’s goal is to help disabled persons in Gilgit Baltistan become more inclusive and live better lives in their communities by giving them access to employment, education, healthcare, and all-around support. Leadership plays a crucial role in an organization’s success. Baig’s shrewd leadership has made GBGM one of the most exceptional disabled-led organizations in terms of productive and ground-breaking initiatives to assist the disabled community. Skills development programs are essential in today’s competitive labor climate to assist persons with disabilities to support themselves and their families, be self-sufficient, and—above all—encourage their dignified involvement in society. Since its opening in 2022, GBGM’s Skills Development Center has led the way in providing free training in IT, English, and LED bulb manufacturing to people with disabilities. The organization believes that these skills will enable PWDs to have greater possibilities for a better life in the near future. Disability advocacy is essential for empowering people with disabilities to exercise their human rights and prevent discrimination. Through advocacy sessions, GBGM tenaciously defends the rights and dignity of PWDs, putting up a great effort to increase public understanding of the significance of inclusion and equal opportunity. The organization works in partnership with companies, communities, and local authorities to create an environment that is more inclusive and accessible to everyone. Apart from offering advocacy sessions and skill development programs, GBGM is really dedicated to ensuring the well-being of its beneficiaries. It ensures people receive the care they deserve by offering essential support through a variety of welfare programs, such as free medications, healthy food, and assistive technology. Baig’s accomplishments are too numerous to list here. His nonprofit organization has benefited almost 500 individuals and families, and he is committed to expanding its activities within Gilgit Baltistan. Given his remarkable accomplishments that serve as an inspiration for the next generation of disability advocates, one may argue that Ghulam Muhammad Baig has emerged as one of the most influential disabled activists not only in Gilgit Baltistan but throughout the Global South. To find out more about his work and support his cause, please visit the Gilgit Baltistan’s Goodwill Movement’s website at www.gbgoodwillmovement.com