If you look at the figures, Pakistan should be a power of young innovative minds that allow a positive change to have an impact on their country. With a population where more than 60% under 30, it is quite noticeable that young people have appropriate thoughts to revolutionize the dynamics of Pakistan. Or at least that’s what we say. In reality, Pakistani youth is a force that produces chaos without ultimate direction. Equipped with an unrivaled motivation among young people, our young people have everything they need, except for power, authority and admit, all decent ideas.
As a young sovereign individual, I can demonstrate the fact that the young generation of Pakistan is indeed proud – but what exactly? Well, many young Pakistani people seem more invested in the idolatrous political leaders by critically thinking of the state of their own country. An influential politician, juvenile supporters of Imran Khan, moved, destroyed public goods and closed schools, all in the name of a leader who, let’s be honest, has not left the country in better form. The disciples of Khan transformed him into divinity, making him the centerpiece of a national identity crisis. Instead of solving real problems, they are busy glorifying a man, ignoring the destruction that their blind devotion caused.
Young people are also obsessed with the causes that do not concern them – like fighting for ideals which, frankly, have not yet shown real results. Many have become so disillusioned by the country’s situation that they don’t even care about his future. The idea of nationalism has faded, replaced by a feeling of despair and a pity on oneself. They prefer to complain about poverty to work towards solutions. There is little patience or resilience in this generation – just a feeling that they are stuck in an eternal loop of misery. This is what leads to their fall. A lack of action, a lack of unity and the tendency to blame the past generation for the waste in which they are.
But let’s give credit where it is due. Many young Pakistani want to change things. They start NGOs, volunteer and promote local causes, at least until they get a better job offer abroad. They care about their communities and their social problems, but not enough to stay and promote a real change. They memorized all the inspiring quotes on “Loving your country”, but their dreams are strangely unrelated to them.
It is a strange period. We raise a generation which is technically more “connected” than ever thanks to social media, they have more knowledge than any generation before. However, the link with their roots, their culture and their history? This signal seems a bit weak. Instead, they scroll through their flows, love American content, dream of signs of a dollar and wonder when they can shine elsewhere. The irony is almost painful.
In the end, the youth of Pakistan is indeed an asset, but which is not invested correctly. What is necessary is a massive change in the way we treat the ideas of our young people. If we continue to force them in boxes and not to offer real opportunities, they will take all this motivation and this pride elsewhere. And, let’s be honest, they will probably prosper wherever they go. But here is the friction: the only ones who will lose the people who have sacrificed everything for their nation and that it will become wasted.
– The young writer is a student at the Aitchison college
