The Uncertain Journey of Kashmiri Youth
Moniba Iftikhar
Islamabad: Every morning, thousands of students across Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) walk into classrooms carrying textbooks, notebooks and aspirations for a better future. Yet beyond school gates, many young people face an uncertainty they say education alone cannot overcome.
As the anniversary of August 5, 2019 (Youm-e-Istehsal) approaches, the experiences of Kashmir’s younger generation have once again come into focus, highlighting concerns over education, employment and future opportunities.
For many students, classrooms remain places of hope, but they also represent a bridge to a future that often appears increasingly uncertain.
Education Amid Uncertainty
Across the Valley, students continue pursuing academic goals despite years of disruption and instability.
Many dream of becoming doctors, engineers, teachers and professionals, believing education offers the best path toward a brighter future.
Yet conversations with students and experts suggest that academic achievement alone does not guarantee confidence about what lies ahead.
A university student from IIOJ&K, Fazila Alam, says classrooms continue to inspire hope, but uncertainty begins the moment students think about life after graduation.
“We study with dedication and prepare ourselves for tomorrow,” she says. “But outside the classroom, many of us still wonder what opportunities will be available.”
Another student, Tayyaba, says many young people worry not only about employment but also about whether they will have the opportunity to fully participate in shaping their future.
“We carry dreams and qualifications,” she says, “but many still struggle to see a clear path forward.”
Youth at the Centre of Kashmir Debate
Senior Kashmiri leader Altaf Hussain Wani says the aspirations of young people have become one of the most important dimensions of the Kashmir issue.
He argues that an entire generation has grown up amid prolonged uncertainty, with many ambitions constrained by circumstances beyond their control.
According to Wani, Youm-e-Istehsal serves not only as a political milestone but also as an opportunity to reflect on the experiences of students seeking education, employment and stability.
“The pain of Kashmir’s youth cannot be overlooked,” he says, adding that many young people continue striving for opportunities despite difficult conditions.
Concerns Over Future
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam says discussions about IIOJ&K should not lose sight of the human stories behind political developments.
He says many young Kashmiris continue to express concerns about identity, rights and future opportunities following developments since August 5, 2019.
“Behind every statistic is a young person hoping for a better future,” he says.
Educationist and Kashmir affairs expert Dr. Awais Bin Wasi believes the challenges facing youth extend beyond academics.
He says prolonged uncertainty has affected educational continuity, career planning and emotional wellbeing for many students.
According to him, many families continue to deal with the long-term consequences of conflict, creating additional pressures for young people trying to build successful futures.
“The youth are searching not only for education and employment,” he says, “but also for stability and the confidence to pursue their ambitions.”
Analyst Dr. Maria Sultan says the concerns of Kashmiri youth deserve greater international attention.
She urges the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to strengthen engagement with international human rights organisations and policymakers to promote dialogue on the longstanding issue.
She believes greater global awareness can help keep the experiences of Kashmir’s younger generation part of wider international discussions.
Hope Persists
Despite the challenges, students across IIOJ&K continue to invest in education, seeing it as both an opportunity and an act of resilience.
Teachers continue teaching, students continue preparing for examinations and families continue encouraging their children to pursue higher education.
For many young Kashmiris, education remains the strongest symbol of hope—even when the future appears uncertain.
As another school day ends, notebooks close and classrooms empty, aspirations remain alive.
Behind every examination paper lies a student hoping for opportunity.
Behind every degree lies a young person seeking stability.
And behind every dream is a generation waiting for the chance to build the future it has long imagined.
