Pakistan, a nation with a burgeoning population of over 220 million, has the potential to transform its youth into an asset rather than liability. The youth of any country are the driving force towards its economic growth and sustainable development. If a country has an educated, skilled, dynamic and employed youth population, no force can stop social and economic progress. The real transformation lies in the youth, as they are the present and the future of any state. It is just a cliche to say that the potential of Pakistan’s youth to spearhead an economic revival is immense, given their energy, creativity, and adaptability to technological advancements, albeit whenever given an chance.

History is full of examples, where the youth became a driving force in revolution. Bangladesh recently have witnessed a revolution led by youth, where the corrupt leadership was left with no option but to leave the country.

Economic revolution can be brought in Pakistan, if the youth work in the right direction and realize their immense potential. The abilities of youth can be harnessed properly through strategic alignment of policies, resources and opportunities.

No real progress can be made without addressing a major challenge that has been affecting the conservative societies like Pakistan – it is gender inequality.

This essay explores the vital role of youth in driving Pakistan’s economic revolution, highlighting the challenges they face and the strategies needed to empower them as catalysts of change.

The great poet Iqbal highlighted the potential a man of strong character holds.

“The man of strong character who is master of himself will find fortune complaisant.

He will dig up the foundations of the universe and cast its atoms into a new mold.

He will subvert the course of time,

And wreck the azure firmament.

By his own strength he will produce,

A new world which will do his pleasure.”

The youth in Pakistan aged between 15 and 29 make up around 64% of total population. This unique bulge of youth, if utilized effectively, can serve as a catalyst for economic expansion. Their curiosity and inventive spirit enable them to bring a change and work that lead to growth and sustainable development. Born and raised in technology, the Gen-Z are more aware of their surroundings and adaptive towards new domains of earning as well as learning skills that are required globally. In fact, they are more prepared to take risks for their personal growth.

Young people have been leading an increasing number of entrepreneurial projects in Pakistan in recent years. They are simultaneously tackling social challenges and generating new economic possibilities through tech companies and social enterprises.

The rise of Pakistan’s startup ecosystem – particularly in cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad – offers a positive outlook towards economic growth where young people are creating opportunities not only for them but for others as well. Pakistan needs startups that can create employment opportunities as job market is now more saturated than ever. As a result, a majority of youth finds it hard to get job.

Moreover, these startups not only generate employment but also contribute to diversification of economy, which is crucial for long-term stability and growth.

Globalization has led to interconnectedness and the skilled youth now have an opportunity to work for foreign clients while sitting in the comfort of their homes. However, these opportunities can be availed with strong internet and skilled youth. The government needs to focus on the building infrastructure essential for fast internet and must ensure its availability 24/7. Many young people have started their YouTube channels and are used social media platforms for changing their lives while earning in dollars. However, more can be achieved in this domain as well.

CHALLENGES FACED BY THE YOUTH:

Despite their potential, the major chunk of youth in Pakistan faces significant challenges that hinder their ability to contribute effectively to economy. One of the most urgent problems is a dearth of high-quality skill development and education. Even though Pakistan’s literacy rate has increased, there is still a large gap in the quality of education between urban and rural regions. The options accessible to youth, especially those from disadvantaged classes, are restricted by this discrepancy, thus resulting in absence of human resource development.

Social change was considered a prerequisite for economic progress as the Saudis went for executing the Vision 2030.

While those living in big cities can make their way out due to exposure and facilities, a large share of population living in rural areas are wasting time scrolling phones and becoming a liability for both the society and the country. The state needs to cater their needs and bring them to mainstream for economic growth. The individuals that are out of school should have other opportunities to learn skills that are required for today’s technologically advanced world.

Another major issue is unemployment. High youth unemployment rate results from Pakistan’s labor market’s inability to accommodate the enormous number of graduates who enter the workforce each year. The mismatch between the skills provided at educational institutions and the demands of the labor market exacerbates this predicament. Young people are often underemployed or employed in sectors unrelated to their qualifications, which limits their productivity, dampens potential and adds to economic stagnation.

Simultaneously, there is no link between industries and education system, which leads to producing graduates with degrees that have no relevance with the job market. Unfortunately, the universities are running as business firms. To avoid these issues, the industries should guide these institutions to offer relevant degree programs for the present and the future.

And then comes the issue of young entrepreneurs lacking access to financing. Although there are several initiatives aimed at supporting startups like the Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Program and the establishment of National Incubation Centers, many young people struggle to secure the necessary funding to bring their ideas to fruition. This approach is seemingly a result of the belief that investing in youth-led businesses carries a significant risk. Hence, many bright business ideas are not executed.

GROWTH-CENTERED EMPOWERMENT STRATEGIES:

Keeping in view the abovementioned challenges, multiple strategies can be implemented to harness the potential of Pakistan’s youth and ensure that they play a central role in the economic growth. Obviously, a skilled and educated workforce is required to achieve the goal of a vibrant economy.

The government must address two issues: ease of doing business and cost of doing business.

To ensure that the young people have equal access to quality education irrespective of the socioeconomic background, Pakistan has to go for huge investment in education system, with an emphasis on vocational education and occupational training according to the needs of the modern economy. However, there may be potential for public–private partnership to achieve the target, as the business sector may help align the educational activities with the market needs.

In order to encourage more young people into commercial enterprises, both the public and private sectors must strategize their priorities to develop an environment conducive to setting up new businesses. In other words, the government must address two issues: ease of doing business and cost of doing business.

This will require increasing the availability of funds through grants and loans at reduced interest rates or through venture capitals as well as mentorship programs. It will prepare the entrepreneurs of the next generation, as school and college children can also be nursed towards risk taking and innovative culture through various means like the use of incubators, accelerators and education on entrepreneurship. In particular, it is necessary to involve young people in the process of policy making to address issues that concern them. Thus, providing outlets to the youth for participating in governance and policy formulation is a must.

Meanwhile, technology is a potent weapon for economic transformation in the digital era. Pakistan’s youth can take the lead in the global digital economy by investing in digital infrastructure, fostering IT education, and supporting the growth of tech firms. Although programs like the Digital Pakistan Vision are a positive start, they must be strengthened and backed by strong legislative frameworks. There are many examples of young students who are bringing dollars home through their skills and using platforms like Fiver and Upwork.  But more needs to be done.

On the other hand, the recent government decision to install a firewall resulted in the loss of digital work opportunities and millions of dollars. These steps demotivate the youth, as those working hard to change their fate often get frustrated. And this frustration is also leading the youth to settle in foreign countries in search of employment. The state has to devise policies to make youth our strength instead of a liability and stop the brain drain.

But no real progress can be made without addressing a major challenge that has been affecting the conservative societies like Pakistan – it is gender inequality. Without working on gender equality, no country or people can reach their full economic potential. Sustainable economic development will remain a dream without mainstreaming the more than half of the population by providing equal opportunities to the women.

This means changing societal views that constrain women participation in workforce and thus in economy as well as implementing legislations that provide for gender equality at workplace, in education and access to the windows of finance.

It is not that we don’t have an example or model to follow. Just look at Saudi Arabia which under the visionary leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is transforming the conservative mindset for producing a vibrant and progressive society. That’s why social change was considered a prerequisite for economic progress as the Saudis went for executing the Vision 2030 to make the Kingdom a global hub for investment, trade and manufacturing through sustainable development.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates, another Muslim country, has already been experiencing an exponential growth only thanks to an open society for decades now.

Pakistani youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but today’s agents of change. If given the right tools and prospects, they can trigger a socioeconomic change that will transform the whole nation for the better. However, one has to tackle these obstacles and introduce policies required to meet the goals.