The Voice of Balochistan’s Youth in the 21st Century

As a student from Balochistan, I find myself pondering two pressing questions for the youth. What lies ahead for a province where two-thirds of the population grapples with basic literacy? Can Balochistan overcome the cycle of marginalization that has fueled its unemployment challenges for decades?

To start off with the statistics, in Balochistan, 75% of the youth population is under the age of 30, most of them graduates or postgraduates. In 2021, only 2000 out of 25,000 students who graduated from the universities in Balochistan were able to find jobs. The age range for graduates is 22-24, while those completing their master’s degrees are about 24-27.

The Balochistan Conflict: Truth vs. Propaganda

Despite working hard for years to earn a university degree, educated youth in the province feel deceived because they still can’t find a reliable source of income. They will suffer greatly and permanently from the rising unemployment rate, which can cause low self-esteem, depression, pessimism, frustration, and extreme behavior.

According to current data, Balochistan has one of Pakistan’s highest unemployment rates, which has a big impact on the country’s young people. Professionals in the fields of engineering are about 10% who can find employment each year, and 3000 doctors are unemployed in the province. The provincial government’s refusal to provide thousands of unemployed doctors in the area with permanent employment possibilities has drawn harsh criticism from the Young Doctors Association (YDA) Balochistan. YDA Balochistan spokesperson Dr. Saboor Kakar has voiced concerns about the continuous loop of ad hoc appointments and temporary contracts that continue to exploit doctors.

An estimated 4.13% of the province’s population is unemployed, although this number is probably underestimated because of unreported instances and inadequate reliable surveys in rural areas. This poses severe challenges, both in the public and private sectors, which include:

Restricted Economic Opportunities: The province’s industrial and economic infrastructure is lacking. Agriculture, fishery, and cattle are examples of industries that may create a lot of jobs but receive insufficient funding and planning, which causes job creation to stagnate.

Over-reliance on Public Sector Employment: A large number of people rely on government jobs to support themselves. Nevertheless, these jobs are frequently poorly run, with inefficiencies predominating, like vacant positions and overemployment in some places. This strategy makes the provincial budget unsustainable and fails to provide significant economic growth.

Neglect of Private Sector Development: The development of different job prospects is hampered by the absence of a strong private sector. Poor governance and political unpredictability impede business establishment and industry investment.

Education-Employment Gap: According to reports, even young people with formal education experience unemployment since their skills do not align with the demands of the labor market. Technical education and vocational training are underdeveloped to close this gap.

Political and Economic Marginalization: One of the main causes of Balochistan’s socio-economic problems, according to analysts, is the federal and provincial governments’ disregard.

Inadequate Skill Development: Employability in contemporary sectors is hampered by the province’s restricted access to skill-building initiatives.

Students of Balochistan are eligible to attend federal universities and institutions at a reserved quota of 6%. These students are qualified for 20% of scholarships offered by initiatives like as the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund (PEEF). Under the federal quota system, the federal government has set aside 6% of its workforce for Balochistan. Jobs in public sector enterprises and federal ministries fall under this category.

The question of whether Balochistan’s lower quota is adequate in light of its difficulties is still up for debate, especially when contrasted with the quotas in other provinces. Some contend that significant progress requires a larger allocation. Many believe that, in light of Balochistan’s particular developmental constraints, 6% could not be sufficient when compared to larger provinces like Sindh.

Increasing Youth’s Frustration in Baluchistan

A postgraduate student from Balochistan offered perspectives on unemployment, emphasizing obstacles related to education, work opportunities, fake nonresident families who hold Balochistan’s domicile, and personal struggles. They said that access to higher education is hampered by cultural customs, a lack of institutions, and budgetary limitations. They have had difficulty finding employment in economics since graduation in July 2024 because of their city’s limited options, fierce rivalry, and lack of industry connections. Long-term unemployment has had a detrimental effect on their mental health, leading to stress and self-doubt but also motivating them to look for other options.

Regardless of the challenges they have to go through, the youth have not given up, and they are standing tall. Some examples, like the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC), actively campaign for better education policies, focusing on increasing access to schools and reducing systemic neglect.

Skill-development workshops where local youth-led organizations organize workshops and training sessions to enhance practical skills among students, preparing them for employment opportunities and entrepreneurship. Youth in urban areas have started initiatives to provide online learning resources to students in remote regions, leveraging technology to bridge the educational gap.

As the voice of the youth grows louder, let it serve as a rallying cry for justice, equity, and development. Together, we can ensure that the untapped potential of Balochistan’s youth becomes a beacon of hope and a driving force for transformation in the 21st century.