Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan once famously remarked that the world’s young citizens should drive global innovation and change. Empowered with knowledge and latest tools in technology, he expected the youth to act as catalysts of change. However, at the same time, Annan warned that the world would stay in an impoverished state if the youth remain marginalized. In Pakistan’s case, the large youth population remains both a blessing and a boon for the country.
There is no doubt that a skillful young population can help Pakistan overcome challenges and seize new opportunities in the global arena. Unfortunately, today Pakistan’s youth remain disillusioned, directionless and dejected with the country’s future. Weak leadership and misplaced priorities by the government have only compounded their miseries as they struggle to find employment and equal opportunities to participate in the civil society.
The gloomy situation has forced some misguided youth to turn to crime and even join the ranks of militants. A bright future for the youth is only guaranteed through the provision of equal opportunities for education and employment. While Pakistan’s constitution calls for free and compulsory basic education, in reality the country is facing an education emergency. More than 7 million children do not have access to primary education, while government spending on education remains dismal. Limited employment opportunities are only available for those who have been educated in the largely unaffordable private sector. Even the privately educated struggle to find suitable jobs as burgeoning fiscal deficits, energy crisis and poor law and order in the country have reduced investment and job opportunities.
The recently announced youth package, worth around Rs20 billion, is certainly a step in the right direction by Nawaz Sharif-led government. Under the scheme, the government will undertake six projects to promote affordable education, soft loans and skill-based training among the youth. The package reaffirms the government’s commitment toward youth for the socio-economic progress of Pakistan. It is important to note that the projects will also be accessible by youth, including women, belonging to undeveloped areas.
While the program may have been envisaged with a pure intention, the government must put in place a transparent and fair system to ensure its successful implementation. The authorities must focus on restoring its credibility and winning the confidence of the country’s young population. In the run up to May general elections, the youth remained skeptical of tried and tested political forces and sought change to reshape the country’s future. As a new era of political activism swept across Pakistan, all major political parties tried particularly hard to sway youth vote in their favor. Although the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) won general elections, it trailed Imran Khan’s PTI in drawing the attention of young, urban voters. It was highly criticized for trying to woo the youth vote by distributing thousands of free laptops among university students and providing government loans to the youth.
All stakeholders, including the country’s political leadership, media and civil society, have the responsibility to ensure that Pakistan benefits from the youth bulge. Sincere and dedicated efforts must be made to tap the enormous youth potential so that Pakistan gains a strong footing in the new world. Instead of accepting false and empty rhetorics, the youth also need to develop competence and capabilities to help Pakistan succeed in coming times.
