Pakistan on Wednesday observed, along with the world, the UN International Youth Day to recognize the contributions of the youth to a global society.
The International Youth Day was first observed in 2000. The UN defines youth as the age – group between 15 and 24 years, forming one-sixth of the population of the world. The aim of International Youth Day is to endorse consciousness, particularly in the youth.
Pakistan currently has the largest youth population
According to National Human Development Report (NHDR) report, Pakistan currently has the largest population of young people ever recorded in its history, It is currently one of the youngest countries in the world and the second youngest in the South Asian region after Afghanistan, the report said adding that of the total population 64 percent is below the age of 30, and 29 percent is between the ages of 15-29 years.
The report suggested Pakistan needed to create 4.5 million new jobs over the next five years and enroll millions of its out of school children in coming years to properly utilize 64 percent of the youth bulge that provides a unique opportunity for its economy to grow faster and sustainably.
Role of Youth in Society
Youth is the backbone of any nation. Youth can play an important role in the development of society. Pakistan currently is the largest generation of young people ever recorded in its history as 64 percent of the total population was below the age of 30 and 29 percent between the ages of 15-29 years.
Youth is an essential part of society and youth can play a pivotal role in the development of the country. However, this young and able workforce is not being given their chance to shine in the country.
Our youth can bring social reform and improvement in society. We cannot make do without the youth of a country. Furthermore, the nation requires their participation to achieve the goals and help in taking the country towards progress. Likewise, we see how the development of any country requires active participation from the youth.
It does not matter which field we want to progress in, whether it is the technical field or sports field, youth is needed. It is up to us how to help the youth in playing this role properly. We must make all the youth aware of their power and the role they have to play in nation-building.
‘Wazir-e-Azam Kamyab Naujawan Programme’
Prime Minister Imran Khan repeatedly said that Pakistan’s biggest asset is the country’s youth and Pakistan will only be able to reap the benefits of this by empowering and uplifting them.
PM Imran had approved in principle the ‘Wazir-e-Azam Kamyab Naujawan Programme’ (prime minister’s program for successful youth) to empower the country’s youth through multiple institutional mechanisms like national youth council, employment database and exchange platform besides business loans and internship programs.
Problems for youth in the country
Unfortunately, there is a lack of opportunities, professional training institutes, and awareness for youth in the country. Educated youth is unemployed, they are unable to participate in the country’s development because there is no quality education, and textbooks, policies, and curriculum differ across the country.
There is no proper training institute in the country where students can get professional training for their careers. 39 percent of our youth are employed, of which 32 percent are men and 7 percent are women.
Youth is now becoming a depressed segment of society, they have degrees but no jobs, there are universities but no professional education, there are schools but different education systems between elite and poor, there is a government but not a proper policy as to how they can solve these issues.
The government should realize the situation and take quick steps to save the future of the nation. Otherwise, the situation may make the youth choose more destructive paths that will be detrimental to our society.
Ways to help the youth
Pakistan is a vast country with an enormous population that is increasing quite rapidly. The vision of our country lies in the hands of our youths. They are filled with tremendous and towering ambitions.
It will be a great wastage of human resources if these youths are not given an opportunity to exercise their talent. This beautiful land needs these youths in order for our soil to become a brighter one.
It is the government’s responsibility to provide the youth with proper facilities for equipping them with the knowledge of the modern era. There are many ways in which the government can support the youth of our country to achieve their potential.
For that, the government must introduce programs that will help in fighting off issues like unemployment, poor education institutes and more to help them prosper without any hindrance. Similarly, citizens must make sure to encourage our youth to do better in every field.
When we constantly discourage our youth and don’t believe in them, they will lose their spark. We all must make sure that they should be given the wind beneath their wings to fly high instead of bringing them down by tying chains to their wings.
Besides, equal opportunities must be provided for all irrespective of caste, creed, gender, race and religion. There are various issues of nepotism and favoritism that is deprive the actual talent of the country.
We must make sure that every youth has the chance to prove themselves worthy and that must be offered equally to all. In short, our youth has the power to build a nation so we must give them the opportunity.
They are the future and they have the perspective which the older generations lack. Their zeal and enthusiasm must be channelized properly to help a nation prosper and flourish.
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