Youth in Pakistan: Agents of Change in a Complex Landscape

Pakistan is a developing country and youth in Pakistan makes up about 35% of it's total population. In the midst of crunching times, when Pakistan is facing severe issues such as terrorism, economic crisis, target killings, disunity and disunity, the burden to take the country out of the whirlpool is upon it's young people.

Pakistani Youth’s Role in Development

The Pakistani Youth has stepped on a train named as destiny that takes its passengers on the path towards development. Since the estAlongside the changing trends in 21st century, problems of Pakistani youth have started to dwindle.

The world is a continuous process of change and so it brings with it distinctive features in which modernization in youth plays huge importance. As globalization took place, it became harder for teachers, leaders and parents to further hold back youth in homes. These students found their way to their demands.

The supply had always been short but this time these young Pakistanis created their own demand and became their own suppliers.

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They have started to negate the old irrational conventions that have been down streaming their lives. Through the use of media, internet and self right realization; these rising humans instilled with great zeal and zest have found a common point where they could lead their lives with cultural and contemporary trends. [pic]

Talented Pakistani Youth

Talented Pakistani youth has started to bring in more innovation and novel ideas than a matured one. The science has lead older people to understand that after living a life of forty years and above, the brain is less able to produce something new and revolutionary.

Now we see the youth working in across Pakistan in almost all the fields currently working. From education to films to arts to medicine to engineering to politics; you would not find a place where these young talented people are not functioning. Every day they bring in new ideas such as Street Art Competitions, Sports events, Debates, magazines, public relations and the list goes on. [pic]

Power to Speak

A new trend has started to emerge in Pakistani youth i.e. the power to speak. About a decade ago, young people were not allowed to raise their voices against elders. Even if the elders were completely irrational about a certain situation or subject, youth was not allowed to interfere in it. An orthodox behavior was being followed by the elders that was “Old people have a lot of experience and so they speak keeping in mind everything they have learnt from it but young people are careless and innocent. They do not understand the realities of life”.

But now these people have started to realize that not all their experiences are applicable in the contemporary world of fast choices. These people realize that they are not the one’s getting exposed to new knowledge everyday; it is the youth who is thirsty for knowledge and who can actually understand the world with a different dimension.

Optimism of Youth in Pakistan:

Optimism is an intriguing step that the youth in Pakistan has recently adopted. They have seen their families and relatives living lives in depression and so dying a painful death. They have seen people regretting what they did and sticking to the negative side of the situation and eventually falling into a dig of wasted wishes. Pakistani youth has now chosen a path of positivism. This way they can mould, innovate and produce whatever they think is best. They are currently striving for the betterment and progress of country. They are not self centered rather they have adapted ways which would make the people of Pakistan unite and bring about change as a whole.

Voice of Youth

ablishment of Pakistan, youth had always been crushed and oppressed by teachers, leaders and parents. Moreover the role of youth in politics has always been limited due to corrupt and inept political system. They failed to get exposed to the world that could lead to a new era of modernization. As the clock ticked and time flew, things started to change their discourse. The new century brought about much advancement along with the change in trends of Pakistani youth.

I have been sitting here for a while listening to all those voices of youth. To feel what you have, you need to forget what you had. Concepts are intellectual. No one is born to be so. People sit on a porch to learn and throw. Nothing is confusing, you are. Life compels you to form images. What you speak is not your tongue but your society. You creep, you crawl, and you walk and run. Is there anything else to do in this family of indifferent relations? If not, then there is yet to begin another stance of local characters (Pakistani Youth) to trigger the features bound to relish the last sip of tea.

Overview of role of Pakistani youth in Politics

If we look at the history of Pakistani politics it has always been dominated by few families and dictators. Common man has suffered at the hands of aristocrats, and among those common men live the young men and women, who are spoken highly of! The history tells us that political parties have always used the the youth to achieve their political targets but looking at the bigger picture, the role of youth in Pakistani politics has always been limited. Never has the true democracy be at the helm thanks to corrupt and substandard political infra-structure. Men with money, or shall we say, the big players have always dominated the political playground.

Amid all the hypocrisy, the youth has always been used as political horses. The “Kings” have used the horses to well effect but never have they empowered the resilient armed men! Like pawns in a chess game, the kings have used the youth to its benefit but never let it express itself. Sighs! In recent times, a hope arose in the shape of Youth Parliament. It created optimism, a fresh wave of breath. Young intellectuals were given importance, and it seemed finally Pakistan was on the verge of revolution. An in-house revolution, that would change the face of Pakistan on the political front. But the house never realized its potential. It was suppressed under the might of the wealthy parliamentarians.

Quaid-e-Azam's vision of Pakistan

Quaid-e-Azam saw youth as a major asset for the newly created state i.e. Pakistan and repeatedly emphasized the role of youth in Pakistani politics. He believed, youth was vital ingredient to take the country forward. His sayings reflect that he saw the young men and women as the leaders of the future. “Pakistan is proud of her youth, particularly the students who have always been in the forefront in the hour of trial and need. You are the nation’s leaders of tomorrow and you must fully equip yourself by discipline, education and training for the arduous task lying ahead of you. You should realise the magnitude of your responsibility and be ready to bear it.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In the light of his saying, it is a fair assessment that he had a different vision of Pakistan in comparison with what the country has become. He clearly suggested that youth of Pakistan were to be regarded as a major asset.

Our current political system is not only sabotaged by the so called “54 families”, but there is not much hope that the current situation would change in the near future. An allocation of 1.6% of total GDP is a testimony of that! We highlighted the major flaws in the education system of Pakistan, which need immediate addressing! It is critical that the aristocrats of the nation understand the critical need to improve the current political and education situation at federal, provincial, and local levels. It is perhaps the only escape route available to move away from the current economic, socio-cultural, and political crisis Pakistan is proud of her youth, particularly the students who have always been in the forefront in the hour of trial and need. You are the nation’s leaders of tomorrow and you must fully equip yourself by discipline, education and training for the arduous task lying ahead of you. You should realise the magnitude of your responsibility and be ready to bear it.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

In the light of his saying, it is a fair assessment that he had a different vision of Pakistan in comparison with what the country has become. He clearly suggested that youth of Pakistan were to be regarded as a major asset. Our current political system is not only sabotaged by the so called “54 families”, but there is not much hope that the current situation would change in the near future. An allocation of 1.6% of total GDP is a testimony of that! We highlighted the major flaws in the education system of Pakistan, which need immediate addressing! It is critical that the aristocrats of the nation understand the critical need to improve the current political and education situation at federal, provincial, and local levels.

It is perhaps the only escape route available to move away from the current economic, socio-cultural, and political crisis. Despite the troublesome situation, there has emerged another ray of hope, the ember had never died. The elections are not far away and every party has started their election campaign. While the only pleasant change in their campaigns this time around is that all the political parties have realized the importance of youth. The political power-houses are targeting them on a very serious note.

Imran Khan has been back-rolling his election campaign on the base of youth favored policy and he has to be credited for his policies and thinking differently. Now is the time for youth to take the responsibility and play their role to change the conventional political system in Pakistan. So if we want to bring true revolution in Pakistan then our youth needs to participate and try hard to change this system.

Merits of youth of Pakistan

The destiny of a nation is vested with the youngsters. These are the people if guided correctly; they can modify the course of the world. They have the might of extensive thinking, hard struggle, innovation and advancement. The youth are ready to adapt changes because they are young they are in search of truth, they are open to different ideas contrary to the people who are mature and old. Allama Iqbal realized the strength of youth in these wordings: "I have love for those youngsters who pull down the stars."

Today Pakistan is facing many challenges from within and beyond. Terrorism, drone attacks, pitiful law and order situation, bad economic conditions, education dilemma, corruption, energy crisis and so many others. There are many factors behind these problems, but one of the most important and vital is the foreign influence that is weakening Pakistan. Pakistan is not completely independent yet. The policies both political and economic are framed partially or completely by the involvement of big players. Their involvement is not confined to that extent but even more, they are spreading defeatist ideas using different tools. Youth are the actual target, they are made confused and thus they start imitating the society of foreign nations. Iqbal in his metaphoric tone exclaimed: “The falcon that imitates the ways of its prey becomes the prey of its own prey. The youth generally do not view them fit to combat with national problems.

They have no intellect of state matters; they are used and manipulated by different groups. This is because for the youth it is portrayed that they should focus only on education and produce good results, the youth have shown commitment to this idea and they have delivered, but the fact is that their talent is not properly utilized, channelized and appreciated, that is why foreign companies tap this resource and in this way the talent is exploited abroad. On the other way the small segment of talented youth prefer to stay here but still they are not that much fruitful because they generally are not utilized and directed.

At this instant Pakistan’s situation is pitiful, the homeland needs the youth but not that idle, self oriented and unconcerned in their national issues. Working honestly in the job or doing well in individual capacity will not bring any real positivity in our affairs. Pakistan needs the youth to expand their domain by doing following: At this instant Pakistan’s situation is pitiful, the homeland needs the youth but not that idle, self oriented and unconcerned in their national issues. Working honestly in the job or doing well in individual capacity will not bring any real positivity in our affairs. Pakistan needs the youth to expand their domain by doing following:

• Think versatile and intense on national problems.

• Change the defeatist mentality (For example we cannot survive without IMF loans)

• Try to develop understanding of political affairs and economic matters.

• Recognize the foreign players in the local affairs.

• Search to find the peaceful techniques of liberation from neocolonialism.

• Open themselves for discussions and exchange ideas.

• Invent those thoughts through which our nation can revive in every aspect of life. No doubt the youth of Pakistan is dedicated, enthusiastic with their country but emotions are not enough they need a direction to create a positive Pakistan, youth can attain this direction through constant thinking, discussions, innovations and reasoning.

For the real destiny of Pakistan and to bring positive approach, the youth must learn the neglected lessons of truth, justice, bravery and Islamic governance: ''Learn again the lessons of truth, of justice and of bravery. And you shall be used to lead the world.'' ~ Allama Mohammad Iqbal “Keep the Qur’an as a mirror before you. You have completely changed, run away from yourself. Fix a balance for your deeds, Stir a commotion which your forbears stirred in the past.” ~ Allama MohammadIqbal Why Focus on Youth in Pakistan?

As noted in the National Youth Policy, there has been a dramatic expansion in Pakistan’s youth population. Harnessing the energy of youth with new opportunities to contribute to the country’s economic and social development has become a key priority for the Government of Pakistan. In GilgitBaltistan and Chitral (GBC), a region that traditionally has suffered from economic and social marginalization, the demographic shift is particularly significant: almost 70% of the population is under 25 years of age. Despite steady gains in literacy rates and educational attainment, in some cases outpacing other parts of Pakistan, many young men and women do not succeed in finding steady employment or starting their own enterprises.

Young people in GBC have limited access to marketrelevant skills training and enterprise development services. Furthermore, opportunities for youth to participate in community life are limited. Youth groups and extra-curricular activities that would provide them with leadership building and networking opportunities are rare, particularly for young women and youth in rural areas. Youth participation in civic organizations is low primarily because these organizations have been less active in engaging youth. AKRSP estimates that youth are represented in less than 20% of AKRSP-fostered Village and Women’s Organizations

Many youth in GBC are frustrated by their current situation. Fortunately, new opportunities are emerging. Access to domestic and regional markets for high value horticultural and forestry products is increasing. The ongoing expansion of the Karakorum Highway and planned government investments in large infrastructure projects in energy and transit, including two mega dams in the area, will create thousands of direct jobs and many more in secondary industries. Also, local community organizations and enterprises are beginning to realize the need for transitional leadership and youth-relevant programming.

Amid economic, social and
political changes, strategies to
engage unemployed and underemployed youth in markets and local governance will be important
contributors to both prosperity
and stability in the region.

What Is Our Youth Facing In Our Society Today?

Children today are faced with a more hostile world than the one in which their parents grew up. Because of this, today’s children are also experiencing greater fears and worries. The fears of Violence, Drugs, AIDS, and Divorce are problems most adults didn’t even consider while growing, yet they are commonplace among kids today. The effects of fears on young people lives today come from Drugs, Violence, AIDS and Divorce. I believe that youth violence in America is somewhat due to the use of drugs, but not entirely.

Although drugs are known to educe violent behavior, I do not believe they are the routes of violence among American teens. I think that kids can be violent with the absence of drugs. While under the influence of alcohol, one cannot understand the difference between what is wrong and what is right. They believe they are at a much more powerful level that they actually are. Emotions are much more prominent after someone has been drinking, and this may lead to random outbursts upon any one near. All and All I believe violence and drugs among kids can sometimes be more of a mental health or house hold related issue.