Youths of Balochistan: Challenges and way forward
YOUTHS is known as the most precious human resource. They are the primary beneficiaries of national development regardless of the outcomes because their productivity, societal outlook and engagement show what a nation must accomplish. The youth are thought of as a society’s and a nation’s destiny. Pakistan has one of the largest young populations in the globe, with more than 64% of the population under 30. If we are able to take advantage of it, Pakistan could benefit most from it. Currently, society is experiencing a severe time of social unrest, fast economic and social change, catastrophic climatic change, individualism and identity crisis. Young people who are disenfranchised and underprivileged may be inspired to engage in violent and extremist activities by stark disparities and unfavourable political and socioeconomic circumstances.
50% of Balochistan youths are illiterate, the second-highest number in Pakistan after FATA. The province has the highest percentage of illiterate young males in the country, at about 40%, which is even more alarming. However, 62.5% of young women in Balochistan lack basic literacy skills, which is the second-highest percentage in the country. How can we accomplish the coveted objectives of societal harmony, economic prosperity, political stability and peace when half of the youth in our nation are stumbling around in the darkness of ignorance and illiteracy?
Lack of industries and businesses are leading to unemployment and underemployment. Due to this, there are fewer employment options for young people in Balochistan than in other provinces and the majority of them are dependent on government employment. Consistently poor governance, the exploitative Sardari system and country-wide political instability have prevented the province from moving forward and developing over the past 75 years. The youth in Balochistan face major challenges. When it comes to the status quo, prejudice has been widely observed in Balochistan. Due to advantages and interests related to politics and tribes, the ruling class has dominated the public. The system is currently set up so that only the elitists and tribals will dominate and that the paths for the youth to emerge are constrained. The young are frustrated by this inequality.
Unemployment, a lack of necessary skills for work, a lack of structure for the growth of the labour force and inflation are just a few of economic problems. Youth unemployment among females is higher than that of males (74%). Young people aged 20 to 24 and 24 to 29 have the highest rates of unemployment. Youth in Balochistan face social challenges such as drug addiction, gender bias, peace building, corruption, nepotism, social injustice, physical and psychological insecurities, suicide and lack of youth activism and volunteerism.
Citizenship and civic engagement; getting involved in politics to acquire influence and political parties using young people as props due to the extreme disparity in Balochistan, young people are pessimistic about both the nation and their own future. Baloch people are disproportionately affected by social and financial inequality. Balochistan development is hampered by the limited opportunities for our youths. For decades, the government has been accused of failing to engage Balochistan’s youths. Furthermore, other groups were successful in engaging them. We haven’t been able to fully realize the promise of the youth up until now. They haven’t been completely incorporated into the governance and policy frameworks. We have occasionally forgotten about this treasure.
As a result, Pakistani youth, particularly those from Balochistan, are incompatible with the demands of the modern marketplace. Additionally, the problem has become more serious due to conventional thinking and social pressures surrounding career, marriage and other life decisions. Because of the unfair allocation of resources, which has clearly divided Balochistan society into the wealthy and the poor, this problem has become worse. This brings us to the big question how to engage the youth of Balochistan. Answering this question in a single writing is not possible. But, policy implications for youth engagement in Balochistan can be discussed.
We must involve young people before they enter colleges or universities; secondary schools should serve as the incubators for the growth of analytical and critical thinking. The state must develop relationships with youth to overcome intimidation and win their confidence, leading to long-term systemic change. Research and analysis should be used to resolve Balochistan’s problems. Political parties do take a keen interest in taking youth votes but they lack any clear policy to bring them into the socio-economic development and parliament. Young leadership has been rendered a mere political slogan.
However, the government needs to alter its strategy in order to address the province’s issues, lessen its reliance on the sardars, offer politics a chance and permit young people to express themselves without restraint. Instead of teaching students to memorize information and learn by rote, the curriculum should emphasize the development of logical and critical thinking. If we fail to develop the right strategies and policies today to meaningfully engage the youth in the province, provide quality education and secure future socio-economic development, the youth we have will be at risk of becoming marginalized, intolerant, vulnerable to social ills and unable to contribute towards the development.
—The writer is Director Research, Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN).
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