By By Meena Ahmed
Youth in Pakistan seem to be alienated from policy and decision making matters. In 2002, the then government took an interest in youth affairs, which resulted in the preparation of a draft ‘National Youth Policy’ by the Ministry of Youth Affairs. However, the draft was formulated without the involvement of youth, and thus later became the target of immense criticism.
A young man, R. Bhojwani, told The News: “It’s all about a show run by a few men, as policy-makers are least bothered about our input. Youth in Pakistan, despite being so well-equipped, remains unutilised.”
In Pakistan, youth is defined as the population between the age group of 15 to 29 unlike by the United Nation which is 15 to 24 years of age. Youth covers the one sixth of the total human population, whereas in Pakistan, youth makes up around half of its total population.
The major beef that most youngsters have with powers-that-be is that their voices remain unheard. Talking to The News, Sindh Minister for Youth Affairs Faisal Sabzwari agreed to the notion that Pakistani youth have no say in decision-making, but maintained that the ministry is working on this. “The Ministry is planning to form a Youth Development Board, which will only be comprised of experts but youth representation will be at a maximum.”
When asked as what are the easily accessible channels accessible for the youth to promote their ideas, Sabzwari replied that the Ministry is soon going to launch a website, where youth could participate and initiate their ideas and concern as well.
In the national consultation on the draft Youth Policy of Pakistan presented in 2003, among the other the viable suggested strategies by the youth, the major ones were that there should be equal chance for them to participate in decision-making, and that youngsters should be given ample chance to attend meetings of Senate and National Assembly as observers.
Sabzwari said that although youth-related policies and their concerns still need proper modes of operation, today’s youth at least have hope that youth participation and empowerment are one of the most-discussed topics in recent times. The Minister also assured that the Ministry is working on several up-coming youth related projects which will be announced shortly.
If the ministry does indeed manage to achieve its stated objectives, it will inevitably translate into a sense of empowerment for the youth. “In our society, the youth is either too marginalized to become part of policy-making institutions, or is not exposed to critical issues and analytical thinking. This in return, results in making the youth one of the most vulnerable social groups, who does not even know how policies affecting them are being planned, and who are behind them,” said Farrukh Zaman, a university student.
While suggesting constructive measures to overcome the dearth of youth participation, another young voice Ali Rizvi said: “Individuals should take up activism concerning their dear issues. Like minded youth could come together on a platform using social-networking. All these activities should have a positive goal, thus establishing a credible vote-bank for the youth. Besides, the government should facilitate us by facilitating the private sector and establishing viable education institutions for all.”