We the youth

As Pakistan rings in its 77th Independence Day today, much will be written about how the country landed itself into the largely pitiable state it is in today and how it can give its people more to celebrate during future independence days. Before one searches for the path out of the current malaise, it is important to take stock of the country’s profile to see what unique pressures and needs it faces. One thing that stands out is that Pakistan is an overwhelmingly young nation. Over two-thirds of all Pakistanis around today are under the age of 30. Fittingly, the world observed International Youth Day just this past Monday (August 12), a coincidental but appropriate reminder of just how tied together the aspirations, challenges and requirements of the country as whole are with those of its young people. For Pakistan to be a success, it needs to create an environment that matches the needs and dreams of its young people. Any policy that fails to account for two-thirds of the country will simply not be a success. Sadly, Pakistan has largely failed its young people and what heights they have enjoyed have been despite the shortcomings of the state.

Take the case of Pakistan’s latest sports superstar, Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem. Here is a man who broke the Olympic record in the javelin throw through sheer talent and hard work. Though the country and the state will try to use his achievements to elevate themselves, they arguably have no business doing so. Arshad’s struggle is symbolic of the struggle of millions of talented, hardworking and young Pakistanis. For the most part, they are on their own, ignored by apathetic rulers. And when the state is not helping, it is often busy becoming an obstacle itself for young people. The ongoing, sporadic suppression of social media apps and internet disruptions are a case in point. But, much of this is not new. Pakistan has always been a tough place to be a young person. However, certain aspects of the current era make things particularly difficult for today’s young generation. Global connectivity and unprecedented access to information have brought the world to the fingertips of even the most underprivileged young Pakistanis. As such, just how much their country lacks and how much other places have to offer young people is now clearer and starker than ever before.

The belief and hope that previous generations might have had in Pakistan is simply much harder to sustain for a young person today and has been replaced by an overwhelming feeling of being left out and hard done by. It is thus not surprising that many among the under-30 demographic have tended to gravitate towards extremist ideologies and cults of personality in recent years. This is compounded by how the hope and optimism of older generations has been replaced by scepticism and pessimism as they have aged. This disposition is of little help to those seeking to carve their place in the world. However, doom and gloom will get us nowhere. It is equally as important to remember that, despite all the challenges of the current era, there are more opportunities out there than ever before and many young Pakistanis have shown just how much can be achieved today. It may be too much to ask the state to get its act together all at once and give Pakistan’s youth the investment it deserves. However, it can at least try a bit harder to stay out of their way.