Over the past decade, media and political discourse have increasingly focused on young people. The so-called youth bulge has been highlighted as a potential demographic dividend, a transformative force for socio-economic development and an important vote bank.
In response, states are rushing to draft youth policies that ambitiously address the diverse challenges faced by young people. In theory, these policies cover a wide range of issues, from education, employment and skills development to mental health, reproductive health and even environmental issues.
But these states’ policies are largely imitations of each other, full of ambition but lacking the substance to drive real change. The main problem is that it is too broad and there is no viable implementation plan. No single department can address a wide range of issues, especially given the constraints of business regulations that limit cooperation between departments. This lack of direction has left the youth sector underequipped, underfunded, and largely ineffective.
In collaboration with SDPI and UNFPA, we developed two frameworks for assessing the effectiveness of state youth sectors in our recent report. First, the functional capacity assessment revealed critical gaps in leadership, governance, resource management, and program implementation. Second, political economy analysis reveals how political interests lead to governance fragmentation and system inefficiencies undermine governance performance.
This analysis was further enriched by including the voices of young people across the socio-economic divide, particularly those outside the formal sector. Their inclusion reveals a more complete picture of the disconnect that exists between policy ambitions and the realities of Pakistan’s youth.
Some significant issues that came to light are:
— Youth policy may be ambitious, but it lacks clarity. Without a strategic action plan and actionable goals, efforts will be fragmented and ineffective. There is no youth commission in any province except Sindh and KP. However, even existing committees remain dysfunctional due to incomplete appointments and bureaucratic delays.
Fundamentally, the youth bulge is both an opportunity and a challenge.
— Lack of funding, infrastructure and human resources. The youth sector generally lacks even basic facilities. For example, Balochistan does not have a single official vehicle. District-level organizations do not exist except in KP (Jawan Marakis), but even these face inequity in resource distribution. District youth officers often have ceremonial roles, such as organizing events.
— Job duties are not clearly defined and technical expertise is limited. This is further exacerbated by the lack of training opportunities for human resources development.
— Frequent transfers, politically motivated appointments and misallocation of resources are observed in the youth sector, undermining its autonomy and ability to realize its goals.
— Social sector sectors, including the youth sector, are overshadowed by infrastructure projects. The latter is prioritized for political gain. As a result, resources for youth work are limited and inconsistently allocated.
–There is almost no cooperation between departments. Most state departments remain unaware of the goals of youth policy, much less their role in achieving them.
— Data limitations are a barrier to informed decision-making. Digitalization efforts have been slow and faced resistance from key stakeholders.
— As sports and youth development are combined under the same secretariat, it is the former that receives a disproportionate amount of attention in rural areas. The main reason for this is that sports initiatives can be used for political effect. As a result, sport tends to dominate resource allocation, leaving broader youth development initiatives such as skills training and employment programs on the back burner.
These challenges require urgent and effective solutions. The required changes are:
— All states should revise their youth policies to define clear priorities, actionable plans, and measurable outcomes. Issues such as automation, the gig economy, and cybersecurity need to be addressed.
— Punjab and AJK should establish an independent youth department with a dedicated director. In other states, the office must shift its focus from sports to broader youth development goals. Clearly defined staff roles and training programs improve department efficiency.
— It is important to establish a district youth office staffed with well-trained officers. These offices must have access to vehicles and IT infrastructure to ensure equitable service delivery, especially in remote areas.
— Secretarial committees, regular interdepartmental meetings, and stakeholder mapping need to be institutionalized. Updating business rules to mandate collaboration between departments will strengthen collaboration.
— Clear policies are needed to limit political interference, ensure merit-based appointments, and curb the use of transfers as a manipulative tool.
— We need to strengthen state statistics offices to collect youth-centered data. For AJK and GB, a partnership with PBS can bridge the gap.
—Encouraging young people to participate in politics is essential. The Sindh Student Union Act must be implemented and other provinces should follow suit.
— Performance-based bonuses and career advancement opportunities boost morale. Transparent accountability mechanisms are also important.
Perhaps the most important factor is the involvement of political leaders. The Prime Minister must support these efforts and ensure adequate funding and consistent policy attention. Without this, the transformative potential of young people will remain untapped.
Fundamentally, the youth bulge is both an opportunity and a challenge. Pakistan is at a crossroads. Either we invest in our youth to carve out a brighter, more just future, or we continue down a path of neglect, perpetuating cycles of inequality and underdevelopment.
By addressing the systemic issues plaguing the youth sector and adopting a strategic and comprehensive approach to policy implementation, Pakistan can chart a new course. It is time to move beyond lofty rhetoric and piecemeal efforts.
The author is the lead author of the report “Functional Capacity Assessment and Political Economy Review of State Youth Departments” and is also a senior researcher at SDPI, Islamabad.
Published at Dawn on December 14, 2024
