KARACHI:
Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world with approximately 60% of the population under the age of 30. Despite having a democratic structure, the politicians have failed to connect with the younger voters. The youth feels unrepresented and unheard. In addition, the absence of adequate education and employment opportunities has further disillusioned the majority of the youth. Consequently, each year thousands of young professionals immigrate abroad in search of better opportunities and livelihoods.
The government should address the brain drain issue by alleviating nepotism and corruption from both public and private organisations. Employees should be hired based on merit instead of personal preferences and favouritism. Both public and private organisations should be incentivised to partner with universities across the country to create industry-academia linkages and create employment. The government should also invest in emerging industries including information technology (IT) as it can significantly contribute to economic growth.
Universities should have student unions to engage students in academic activities as well as extra-curricular activities. Political parties should connect with the masses, particularly the youth by addressing their grievances. The youth are the country’s future and if a majority of them leave or fall into wrong practices, the country will suffer greatly. Therefore, the youth must be protected and provided with a range of opportunities to express themselves, innovate, and ultimately contribute to the country’s development and progress.
Ayaz Ali Bhatti
Thari Mirwah
Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2023.
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