Generation Z, Digital Revolution, and Pakistan
- Resilience and Creativity: Generation Z demonstrates adaptability and ingenuity, overcoming societal, economic, and mental health challenges.
- Agents of Change: They actively challenge outdated systems and strive for progress, shaping a sustainable and equitable future.
- Digital and Global Influence: This generation harnesses technology and interconnectedness, bridging gaps and driving innovation amidst adversity.
Courage, resilience, and audacity fall into the category of human spirit. The chronological order of the human potential is far from over. There are stories, myriads, and Greek mythologies of past, present, and future that lie ahead. Growing up, these stories turned into historical mysteries and came out as a test of time. Such anecdotes and insights from our past leave us with questions to ask and answers to find. The past that we left behind and the present that we are in, demands all our courage and fortitude to break the chains of pre-colonial mindset and witness the future.
As homo sapiens, we are a by-product of our actions. The deeds we do define us and our identities. We live in a multi-dimensional and culturally rich country where news bombardment is a norm but consuming news daily can be overwhelming leading to anxiety, frustration, and eventually depression. Our reactions and responses in such scenarios bring us the sheer gift of thinking. Known as the greatest of all creatures we often limit ourselves. Generation X, early boomers, millennials, and us GenZ have been the victims of sad histories.
We are facing the brunt of it all be it the coalition of governments, political and social unrest, psychological upheaval, or generally life and vitality. Such events lead up to nowhere and keep their heads indoors in the confined zones of solitude. Victims of sad stories become true warriors of resilience, intelligence, and creativity. This generation is difficult to please and makes its own decisions by falling to red tape and red flags. During pre-partition Pakistan, millennials and boomers were silent spectators to the ugliness around but this generation is far beyond the control of world powers.
There are societal and mental health issues in today’s brilliantly chaotic youth. Widely known as the depressed generation, this set of people has undergone innumerable cycles of unhealed traumas. Their journey from confinement to freedom is a testament to the fact that they are the future. The world has become home to the largest youth population, 1.8 billion and in the darkness of this confinement, destiny has nodded in agreement where dignity and respect have found a home under the vigilant gaze of the early humans because they tended to the homeless and poor. Our actions today can ensure a thriving tomorrow but sadly the onset of modern technology has turned our vitality into just a memory of old times.
Generation Z has time and again sifted through the pages of history by being a hub of unyielding and positive energy. They had a fascinating past but a conflict-ridden present. Since the human race began, the battle intensified in the dusty plains, and fast forward to recent years, they have received global attention. It’s a constant struggle to stay grounded in such a distorted reality through both kinetic and non-kinetic measures because far away from human civilization, this world seems to have made no moral progress since historical times.
Today’s youth is often surrounded by overwhelming landscapes and stars facing a leadership crisis, institutional corruption, lack of meritocracy, poor democratic system, injustice, lack of focus on education, poor intellectual development, and inequitable distribution of resources. Shaping societies, cultures, and economies how homo sapiens rose to dominate the earth? GenZ is a powerhouse that walked out of the shadows and straight into the history books. They are the reason behind the micro and macro development of Pakistan.
Many times, their temperament turns volatile and imbibes a loud tone but it’s not too late to turn the tide. They whisper stories of heritage and tradition because they were born out of a dream for freedom. They are often forced to accept monetary settlements in exchange for their silence. They are a page from history and a generation that minds have registered and hearts have endured. The youth of Pakistan are going through major mental health illnesses. Disorders and psychological issues leave deadly scars on their appearance and their will to live.
The 21st century has made it difficult for them to adapt to hostile environments as such stories of lawlessness and mental barriers lead to rote learning and farce tales. Our modern, tech-driven world has given space to exposure and new ideas. The emergence and evolution of sharp minds is a beautiful testament to behold and regain with all its glory and glamour. Pakistan has contributed less to the growth of colossal brains. This generation possesses qualities that are far beyond the existence of human beings. They are rigid, and crude with a blend of self-deprecating humor. We have seen the rise and fall of nations being affected the most.
Today’s unapologetic generation Z is not an ordinary human but an extraordinary individual with a big heart and somebody larger than life. Such spaces turn out haunting and disturbing for them but the world watches closely as this GenZ revolution continues to unfold. When nature regenerates everything it extends far beyond comics and often clashes with a leader who has turned increasingly authoritarian. Their legacy will resonate through their innovative tunes as they have always competed in friendly fairs.
Resilience and resistance are perhaps their trademark characteristics but are seldom covered in public interactions. Erupted over past grievances, GenZ’s growth mindset takes them to a place where no man has gone before but 26 million children, a staggering figure that places Pakistan among the countries with the highest number of children who are not receiving formal education.
Therefore, the human civilization has been in a constant battle since ancient times. During the pre-historic era, homo sapiens had little knowledge about how the world works. To fit in, they searched and researched. It was indeed a wanderer’s tale where they searched for peace through chaos. Life before the evolution of science was a scarce world with limited or no resources. It was the early century when humanity was lacking in all forums. This was a dark period where luxury was a mere dream and contemporary elegance was a disgrace.
Today the enigmatic world where once simplicity reigned has changed and brought on a revolution of its own. A World Without Technology is a nicely curated tale of monotony, escapism, and illiteracy. This world has vanished from the face of our planet Earth, long ago. When astronauts and UFOs were considered a promising possession, scientists and progressive minds were thinking the other way around. It was a bare minimum. Such stories of the past make no sense to us and as humans and individuals, we often fall to clumsiness and pitfalls. Drastically, we are looking for a change. A change in the societal status of communities and generations.
Life without technology is a life unworthy of the fortunate luxuries that the world has to offer. It is hard to separate fact from fiction at a time when imagining a world without technology becomes unbearable. There is no sustainable future without the use of machines and robotic gadgets as life before science was a classic downfall for the man of today. The present world is moving at a rapid speed with the circumstantial evolution of the modern era.
90s Pakistan saw its own downright sad at the face of crumbling economy and disparity. Humanity has failed us time and again but actions speak louder than words and today’s moment has changed for the better. It is a sad history of our adjoining borders where we had people who founded space and Pakistan’s first-ever nuclear program whereas today our neighbor has reached the moon through the efforts of its GenZ population. A technology-driven Pakistan can fill the gap between us and our counterparts. Generation Z is the future and their bleak present will pave the way for a sustainable future for all.
It is through their unflinching faith and hard work that nations and communities rise and shine in peaceful harmony and contentment. Generation Z makes up the second-largest population worldwide. They have scratched beyond the surface to prove their heroic selves to the world by being agents of change and character development. Sometimes, we reflect on Pakistan’s quest for economic liberation and its digital roadmap but what is needed for Pakistan to have its own Silicon Valley? Is the world bipolar, multipolar, or still under the universal influence of the USA? The world is changing in big ways but what will be the new world order?
By adding something to the universal pool of knowledge that has serenaded the world for over three decades a brazen liberty is only afforded to us by history. This generation finds immense joy in the simplest things by raising alarm bells. In this rapidly changing world, they can go to the extent of blurring the lines between right and wrong by valuing human rights that transcend political lines. As emotionally resilient souls, they know that the world is changing in big ways and solutions are always within reach. They never bottle up their emotions and believe in letting it all out.
They are not just a window into the past but a path towards a prosperous tomorrow. Under sincere leadership and wise policies, Pakistan should work on its economy to preserve the welfare of its young and struggling population as they often tend to move abroad for better opportunities. In an increasingly interconnected world, Pakistan’s economic turmoil is stripping the country of its talent. Despite being a progressive nation in the 50s and 60s Pakistan has been navigating a divided world to restore its balance.
As citizens of this beautiful country, we must wake up from our delusional state of self-pity as it is neither intrinsic nor organic. Our country’s socio-political climate reflects our monotony by adding a new layer of complexity and tensions to an already volatile situation. In a world where justice often bends to power, the rhythmic echoes of poetry take on their distinct form. A world where hope fades with each passing day and the edifice of the social contract will collapse if we don’t celebrate the shared heritage that binds us all.
The author is a 5th-semester Journalism and Mass Communication student at the University of Peshawar. She has authored A Nostalgic Silence and co-authored three anthologies: Dreams and Delusions, Every Woman is Exceptional, and Whispers of Today.
