The youth segment of society is the main actor for a positive and progressive future
HYDERABAD: The youth segment of society is the main actor for a positive and progressive future. Western countries are taking steps to include their youth in all walks of life and help them achieve their full potential. But in Pakistan the scenario is completely different. More than 51 per cent of Pakistan’s population comprises youth, individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 years, and yet nothing substantive is being done to facilitate them and effectively include them in different industries, even the country’s democratic process. In fact, particularly in Sindh the youth is influenced by extremist ideologies and the recent case of Liaquat University of Medical Health Sciences student Noreen Laghari is evidence. The medical student was radicalised by ISIS and was supposed to execute a suicide bombing on the occasion of Easter.
Although the Sindh Culture Department is playing a vital role to promote the culture and counter extremism, such initiatives alone are not enough. They don’t benefit the youth much and only create limited opportunities for them.
The department concerned should establish a media studies institute for the youth to give them an opportunity to become responsible citizens of the country. This will also help digitalise the writings of Sufi mystics and introduce Sindh’s youth to a virtual world full of openings.
Dr Jawaad Iqbal
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2017.
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