Balochistan’s Youth: Transforming Hatred into Hope
APP
Quetta: The turbulent protests that erupted in various parts of Balochistan in 2006 left a lasting impression on the province’s youth, who felt increasingly alienated from government policies.
Many perceived these policies as counterproductive, fueling the anger of misguided youngsters. Unfortunately, this sentiment became deeply entrenched in their minds, largely due to the rhetoric of traditional politicians who claimed that the youth were willfully deprived of their rights.
Aslam Baloch, a dedicated student in the Mass Communication department at Balochistan University, exemplified this mindset before his government job.
He expressed no remorse for the destruction wrought by angry youths during the protests following the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti.
“The charged youth had solid reasons to burn government installations,” he remarked to his peers shortly after the vandalism.
Hailing from the suburbs of Quetta, Aslam remained influenced by political factions until he secured a government position. Reflecting on his past, he stated, “I wasted my time in politics of hate and violence. But now I find no reason to pursue my past life,” following two years in Islamabad for work.
Aslam’s story highlights how youth can become soft targets for saboteurs when faced with unemployment and fear. Conversely, they can become valuable assets for the country if given opportunities for social and economic development.
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“Baloch youth need immediate government attention,” stated Information Officer Saeed Yusuf, emphasizing the need for engagement in constructive activities to counteract the negative influences of social media.
With Balochistan grappling with unrest and vulnerability to external agendas, there is an urgent need to address the root causes of youth deprivation.
“Our youth are our future. They constitute a large portion of our population, and we must engage them in constructive activities,” urged Nawabzada Jamal Raisani, the youngest MNA from Balochistan.
He cautioned that neglecting youth aspirations creates opportunities for anti-state elements to mislead them. He advocated for creating platforms for young people to express themselves and contribute to nation-building.
Recognizing this pressing issue, Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and his provincial government are striving to involve youth in various social and economic initiatives to shield them from negative influences.
For the first time in the province’s history, the Youth Policy 2024 is being implemented, offering opportunities in education, sports, and employment to foster a constructive environment.
Among the initiatives is the Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Program, designed to provide educational scholarships for youth at all levels, including full scholarships for PhD students at the world’s top 200 universities. Notably, Oxford University has agreed to offer scholarships to students from Balochistan.
Sports, once neglected, is receiving newfound attention, thanks to the achievements of international athletes from Balochistan, such as Shahzaib Rind and Mohammad Wasim, who have been recognized with substantial prize money.
President Asif Ali Zardari awarded a cash prize of Rs 100 million to Rind to encourage local youth.
Balochistan Minister for Planning and Development, Zahoor Buledi, stated that the government is committed to harnessing youth potential through its various initiatives.
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“We are compiling data and formulating youth-friendly policies to bring them into the mainstream,” he noted.
Government spokesperson Shahid Rind highlighted programs aimed at empowering unemployed youth, including Rs 2 billion in small loans for graduates to establish livestock farms and businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors.
The Chief Minister Youth Skills Development Program aims to train 30,000 young individuals in diverse skills.
To date, the government has awarded scholarships to 75,000 students under its pro-education policy, with an increased allocation of Rs 2 billion for the Balochistan Education Endowment Fund in the 2024-25 budget, alongside Rs 2 billion dedicated to out-of-school children.
Abdul Khaliq Rind, President of the Quetta Press Club, stressed the need for quality education and economic opportunities to engage youth in constructive endeavors.
“Our politicians must change their strategies and invest in youth to secure our future generations,” he urged.
Reflecting on the impressive sales of 4.7 million books at recent festivals in Gwadar and Panjgur, Rind advocated for promoting literacy in Balochistan.
He praised the organization of the Pakistan Literature Festival as a positive step and called for continued efforts in this direction.
With a collective commitment to uplifting Balochistan’s youth, stakeholders are hopeful that these initiatives will yield positive results, empowering the younger generation to transform into a constructive society and play a vital role in building a strong, prosperous, and peaceful Pakistan.
