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Akistan is often called the “Orange Country”, a term used to describe the nations where the population of youth consists of a total population. With more than 60 % of the population under the age of 30, Pakistan stands at a turning point in its history. Today’s youth will form the future of the country. To understand their full potential, it is very important that the policies that make their lives are strong, comprehensive and reflects their needs and aspirations.
Pakistani youth face many challenges, including unemployment rates, lack of skill development opportunities, limited access to quality education and social isolation. In 2023, the unemployment rate of youth was about 9.65 %, of which about 4.5 million people were unemployed. The highest number of unemployment (11.1 %) was 15-24 years old.
In addition, Pakistan has the lowest literacy rate in the world. Only 68 % of children complete primary education. There are about 222.8 million children out of school, which is the second largest outside school population globally. Mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, are also on the rise, an estimated 24 million people need psychological assistance in Pakistan. 19-34 % of young people face social and emotional problems.
A newspaper reports analyzed 289 suicides in children and adolescents within a two -year period, which is often linked to domestic disputes and relations. These challenges increase through economic instability and social pressure. In the absence of targeted policies, these issues will continue to grow, which will prevent young people from reaching their full potential.
The question arises whether young people are part of the process of forming policies that affect their lives? Unfortunately, the answer is not often. Although youth issues are often discussed by governments and civil society organizations, when decisions are made, the youth themselves are rare on the table. From here, the need for youth policies becomes the most clear.
Youth policies are an important framework that guides governments, institutions and communities to solve the diverse needs of youth. The purpose of these policies is to create a comprehensive and comprehensive environment for the development of youth, which is to integrate many sectors such as education, employment, health, political engagement and social participation.
In Pakistan, provincial youth policies – which are developed after the 18th Amendment – focus on improving economic opportunities, promoting urban engagement and empowering youth to ensure equal access to education and health services. For example, Punjab Youth Policy 2012, public private partnerships, indicates the importance of voluntary and leadership development, ensuring that young, gender, social economic background or geographical location, national Can make meaningful contributions to development.
By positioning young people as a national profit, the purpose of these policies is to mobilize young people as a assistant in active citizens and economic and social development, rather than inactive recipients of government measures.
As an important section of national development, this identity of the youth has been a gradual practice in the landscape of Pakistan. Although governments and policy makers have long acknowledged the importance of youth participation, it was not until June 1989 that the Youth Affairs Division was established at the federal level. It took 20 years to devise the first national youth policy in 2009.
Before introducing NYP, several ministries and organizations worked in isolation in youth -related programs. Efforts to form a comprehensive youth policy began in early 1989, drafts developed in 1993, 2002 and 2004. However, the draft either failed to reach the cabinet or did not lead to any important policy action.
Although governments and policy makers have long acknowledged the importance of youth participation, it was not until June 1989 that the Youth Affairs Division was established at the federal level.
The 2002 draft indicates that it was the first place to include input through consulting workshops from civil society organizations, provincial youth departments and student groups. The process founded the 2004 draft and eventually led to the adoption of the first national youth policy in 2009.
However, it did not immediately translate into a integrated approach to the development of youth. With the approval of the 18th Amendment, the landscape reached once again in 2010, which eliminated the ministry’s youth affairs and turned youth into the provinces.
As a result, the youth departments were established in all four provinces, namely Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan areas. Each of them was entrusted with the task of formulating and implementing their youth policy.
The federal government has maintained authority on international affairs, foreign aid and international reconciliation. In Islamabad, the Economic Affairs Division was nominated for the management of international agreements and youth aid programs. Meanwhile, measures like the National Internship Program and the National Volunteer Movement were placed under the Establishment Division. Youth hostels and centers came under the Interior Division in the capital of Islamabad.
Deviation of youth affairs presented both opportunities and challenges. Although it allowed the provinces to design appropriate policies, the absence of the Federal Ministry made a difference in nationwide harmony. This change made the role of civil society even more important. In Pakistan, organizations like UNFPA and Bargod have played an important role in advocating for the rights of youth and emphasizing policies involved in youth.
With the affairs of the youth now, the federal government has initiated extensive steps to fulfill the provincial efforts. One of the most expensive programs in Pakistan’s history was the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, which was introduced in 2013 and was now headed by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Noziz.
The move aims to provide young people with maximum access to economic opportunities and expertise development through various schemes, including young businessmen, including business loans. Youth Training Schemes for Skilling. Laptop distribution schemes to enhance education. And a fee compensation program for students in backward areas.
From 2015 to 2018, international engagement in youth development also increased significantly. Organizations like UNFPA and UNICEF cooperated with the Ministry of Planning and Development to integrate the youth’s vision into the agenda of Pakistan 2025. Pakistan also participated in global youth summit meetings, which strengthened the commitment to sustainable development goals 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 4 (standard education), which developed a comprehensive and comprehensive and comprehensive youth of youth. The need for strategies was further emphasized.
In 2018, the establishment of the National Youth Council and the current PMP chairman, Rana Meshed Ahmed Khan, led by the Committee on Youth Affairs, Pakistan took a step towards more representation of youth in national decision -making.
But how can this platform really meet the interests of youth across the country? The key is to ensure that the next National Youth Policy and the National Youth Forum are already on the provincial level. Since the 18th Amendment, the affairs of the youth have been widely developed, which leads to the development of provincial youth policies and departments that are dealing with the challenges related to the region.
Shouldn’t a national framework recognize, integrate, and increase these provincial efforts? A compatible and mutual support – which eliminates national and provincial measures, reinforces existing policies and harmonizes in governance at all levels. This is the only way to ensure that Pakistan’s youth development strategy is comprehensive, effective and sustainable.
Author, as executive director of the banyan, offers youth policies in Pakistan. She can reach @Purental on Instagram.
