Spoiling the youth potential.

Pakistan’s political parties have largely failed to harness the immense potential of their youth, with the PTI being an exception by mobilizing young people, albeit focusing more on Imran Khan’s persona than on democratic ideals. Unlike the intellectually grounded student movement in Bangladesh, PTI’s youth engagement lacks structural depth and intellectual discourse. The majority of its street power consists of jobless youth, mainly from KP, without strong organizational roots on university campuses.

The broader issue is a lack of vision from political and state institutions. Campuses are tightly controlled by the establishment, restricting intellectual debate while promoting religious groups’ influence. The elite prioritize personal interests, sending their children abroad and ignoring broader educational reforms. This control suppresses any potential for a genuine, youth-led movement for change. Political parties, including the PTI, focus on power retention rather than empowering the youth, thereby diverting their energy into unproductive avenues. Consequently, even if PTI achieves its goals, the structural challenges faced by the youth remain unaddressed.

Overview:

The article critiques the failure of Pakistan’s political landscape to engage youth constructively, focusing on how the PTI channels youth energy into populist rhetoric rather than fostering democratic values. Unlike Bangladesh’s organized student movement, Pakistan’s youth mobilization lacks intellectual depth and structural support. The establishment’s control over campuses and the political elite’s self-interest stifle potential for meaningful change, leaving young people disillusioned and directionless.

Notes:

Political parties in Pakistan, particularly PTI, fail to constructively harness the youth’s potential, focusing instead on personality-driven politics centered around Imran Khan. Unlike the organized, rights-based student movement in Bangladesh, PTI’s mobilization lacks intellectual discourse and sustainable campus roots, relying heavily on unemployed youth, especially from KP. Structural challenges such as the establishment’s control over universities, suppression of intellectual spaces, and fragmentation of rights movements further hinder a unified youth uprising. Political elites prioritize safeguarding their interests, neglecting broader educational quality while sending their children abroad, thereby eroding opportunities for meaningful youth empowerment. Transformative change requires shifting from populist rhetoric to fostering democratic values and intellectual growth among Pakistan’s youth.

Relevant CSS Syllabus Topics:

• Political Science: Youth engagement in political movements
• Sociology: Role of institutions in shaping social structures
• Current Affairs: Political dynamics in Pakistan and South Asia

Notes for Beginners:

Youth engagement means involving young people in activities that benefit society. For example, in Bangladesh, students protested for their rights, showing how organized youth movements can lead to positive change. In contrast, in Pakistan, the focus is more on individual leaders like Imran Khan, not on broader democratic values. Think of it like a team focusing only on its captain rather than working together with a strategy.

Facts and Figures:

• Pakistan’s youth makes up 59% of the population.
• PTI’s youth mobilization is concentrated in KP.
• Bangladesh’s student movement succeeded due to organized campus discourse.

To sum up, Pakistan’s youth holds immense potential, but political manipulation and institutional control stifle meaningful engagement. For real progress, the country needs to foster open dialogue, invest in education, and empower young people beyond populist agendas. Only then can the youth become true agents of change, driving Pakistan toward a more democratic and prosperous future.

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