Youth Empowerment in Balochistan: A Key to National Prosperity

Many factors contribute to the development of a nation. Well-equipped educational institutions guarantee prosperity, as they are the producers of great minds, which, in turn, set societies on the path of development. Similarly, a muscular and indefatigable army keeps the enemies at bay. Military strength is another pillar of development. A healthy population can also propel a nation to the acme of civilization, as all modern civilizations, such as the English, Chinese, and Indian civilizations, were equipped with healthy populations. But if truth be told, the youth of a nation is the most important segment of society. The youth, therefore, play an important role in fostering progress in the social, political, economic, and global realms of life. Hence, the youth empowerment is pivotal for the prosperity of the nation.

Balochistan has a large young population but lacks opportunities. It is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area and possesses abundant natural resources, mainly copper, coal, natural gas, and gold. Undoubtedly, the province holds strategic importance in the region due to its access to the Arabian Sea and its connection to Central Asia. Gwadar and the Reko Diq mines are other significant assets of the province. All these strategic resources provide the province with the opportunity to grow economically and invest in the betterment of its residents, particularly its youth. However, the province faces several challenges.

According to the Human Development Index 2019, Balochistan is considered underdeveloped, with poor quality of human life. Education is the door to development for any nation. However, Balochistan has the lowest literacy rates in Pakistan. The high level of gender disparity causes the marginalization of females, who constitute more than half of the total population of the province. The curriculum is based on traditional teaching methods. Therefore, encouraging the participation of the youth of Balochistan in the educational setup, either as learners or teachers, can be beneficial for the progress of the province. Their participation will transform the education system toward inclusion, adaptation, and critical learning. The government needs to invest in education and provide relevant job skills to the youth of the province. Additionally, policies should be formed to provide practical skills to the youth.

Furthermore, the influence of the Sardari system in the province is strong, especially in rural areas. Tribal leaders control the socio-economic setup of these areas, leading many youth to migrate to cities like Quetta due to increased opportunities, better socio-economic conditions, and improved technologies. This strong tribal system also makes Balochistan an unsafe place for young journalists. In short, the powerful tribal system acts as the biggest barrier to the development of the province, as it mainly supports conservative ideas and resists the adoption of modern ideas. However, the youth of a nation possess the qualities of critical and progressive thinking. By empowering the youth of Balochistan, they can bring innovation in the social, economic, political, and technological sectors of the province, reducing the influence of tribal leaders in rural areas and leading to reformed policies for the welfare of youth.

There is a perception about the youth of Balochistan embedded in the minds of people throughout the country—that they do not participate peacefully in political affairs. Nevertheless, this is not the reality because the youth of Balochistan have the potential to engage in political activities. In this regard, increasing the representation of Balochistan in the Senate and National Assembly and encouraging the youth of the province to become active citizens by being aware of their rights and responsibilities can empower them. This step will open the doors of political participation for the youth in decision-making and peacebuilding. Another cause of underdevelopment in Balochistan is the structure of administrative bodies. In this regard, the youth of the province should be provided with satisfactory jobs, and the structure of administrative bodies and essential institutions should be restructured. This would allow the inclusion of youth in vital governmental roles. The progress of the province will also be possible through reformed policies and strategies implemented by youth in administrative bodies.

To involve the youth of Balochistan in the development sector, the government needs to take a few essential steps. The natural resources of Balochistan are a treasure for the province to uplift its economic conditions. An improved economic situation will help improve the security conditions of the province. Since Balochistan possesses a high share of natural resources and holds strategic importance, foreign direct investment (FDI) should be encouraged in the province. However, the foundation of FDI should be based on beneficial terms and fair conditions, ensuring that the economic gains are used for the province’s development. Moreover, the government, civil bodies, NGOs, and other partners should collaborate to invest in developmental projects in the province and empower its youth to open the doors of prosperity for the province.

In conclusion, the participation of the youth of Balochistan in politics can lead to success in the province’s political progress. The youth’s involvement in social processes will promote social inclusion, as youths are agents of change in a nation. A well-aware and educated youth can promote ideas of equality and positive attributes, fostering pluralism and tolerance in the country. Similarly, the empowerment of youth in Balochistan will lead to economic growth. To sum up, youth is like a star in the world—though a star is a huge ball of gas, through the inner process of nuclear fusion, it can emit energy and light. Likewise, the youth in Balochistan have the potential to guide others through the hardest calamities and challenges. Their participation in the political, social, and economic structures of the state can help the nation progress.

Fizza Mehak Batool

The author is a freelance writer and an undergraduate student of International Relations at BUITEMS, Quetta.

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