If you look at the numbers, Pakistan should be a powerhouse of innovative young minds who allow positive change to impact their country. With a population where over 60% under the age of 30, it’s quite perceivable that the youth would have the fitting thoughts to revolutionise Pakistan’s dynamics. Or at least that’s what we tell ourselves. In reality, Pakistani youth is a force that produces chaos with no ultimate direction. Equipped with unmatched motivation among young individuals, our young people have everything they need except for power, authority and let’s face it, any decent ideas.
As a young sovereign individual, I can demonstrate the fact that Pakistan’s young generation is indeed proud — but proud of what exactly? Well, many young Pakistanis seem more invested in idolising political leaders than in thinking critically about the state of their own country. An influential politician, Imran Khan’s juvenile supporters rioted, destroyed public property, and shut down schools, all in the name of a leader who, let’s be honest, didn’t exactly leave the country in better shape. Khan’s followers turned him into a deity, making him the centrepiece of a national identity crisis. Instead of addressing real issues, they’re busy glorifying a man, ignoring the destruction their blind devotion has caused.
The youth are also obsessed with causes that don’t concern them — like fighting for ideals that, frankly, have yet to show any real results. Many have become so disillusioned with the country’s situation that they no longer even care about its future. The idea of nationalism has faded, replaced by a sense of hopelessness and self-pity. They’d rather complain about poverty than work toward solutions. There’s little patience or resilience in this generation — just a sense that they’re stuck in an eternal loop of misery. That’s what’s driving their downfall. A lack of action, a lack of unity, and the tendency to blame the past generation for the mess they’re in.
But let’s give credit where it’s due. Many young Pakistanis do 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 social issues, but not enough to stick around and promote real change. They’ve memorised all the inspirational quotes about “loving your country,” but their dreams are strangely unrelated to them.
It’s a strange time. We are raising a generation that is technically more “connected” than ever thanks to social media, they have more knowledge than any generation before. Yet, the connection to their roots, culture, and history? That signal seems a bit weak. Instead, they’re scrolling through their feeds, liking American content, dreaming of dollar signs, and wondering when they’ll get to shine somewhere else. The irony is almost painful.
In the end, Pakistan’s youth is indeed an asset, but one that isn’t being invested in correctly. What’s needed is a massive change in the way we treat our young people’s ideas. If we keep forcing them into boxes and failing to offer real opportunities, they’ll take all that motivation and pride somewhere else. And, let’s be honest, they’ll probably thrive wherever they go. But here’s the rub: the only ones who will lose out are the people who’ve sacrificed everything for their nation and see it become wasted.
— The young writer is Aitchison College student
