“Without Economically Empowering Youth, They Cannot Be Made Part of an Effective Democratic Process” — Meena Majeed Baloch
Quetta (Daily Qudrat): Advisor to the Chief Minister of Balochistan for Sports and Youth Affairs, Meena Majeed Baloch, while addressing the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, said that youth are the greatest asset of any country’s development and future. Pakistan’s 62 percent and Balochistan’s 72 percent population consists of youth, which reflects that Pakistan is a dynamic and young nation. She said that the presence of more than 30 percent young members in the national and provincial assemblies is a manifestation of the effective representation of the new generation in democratic institutions. As the first woman Advisor for Sports and Youth Affairs in the history of Balochistan, effectively including youth in democratic and state affairs is a matter of pride for her.
Meena Majeed Baloch said that in Pakistan, the right to vote at the age of 18 and opportunities for participation in local government institutions are available to youth; however, the biggest and real challenge faced by the younger generation is the provision of employment opportunities and the elimination of unemployment. She said that unless a young person is economically stable and engaged in dignified employment, they cannot play their role in the political and democratic process with full focus and effectiveness. Therefore, the economic empowerment of youth should be given central importance in policymaking.
The Advisor for Sports and Youth Affairs said that in the current era of government, for the first time in the history of Balochistan, a comprehensive Youth Policy has been introduced, under which efforts are being made to connect the province’s youth with international institutions to provide technical training, world-class certifications, and overseas employment opportunities. She said that through the Kamyab Jawan Program as well, opportunities for entrepreneurship and leadership have been created for youth in all four provinces of the country.
She said that educational institutions are an important center for the democratic training of youth, where through student organizations and various cabinets in colleges and universities, young people are being familiarized with democratic traditions, collective decision-making, and problem-solving procedures.
Meena Majeed Baloch said that in the current era of artificial intelligence and digital technology, the importance of geographical boundaries is decreasing while the value of skills, knowledge, and creative ability is continuously increasing. The world needs to create such global platforms for youth where young people from different countries can benefit from each other’s experiences and exchange and share ideas. She proposed that a “Global Youth Hub” be established at the global level, which would gather young people from around the world on a common platform and help connect them with each other in the fields of education, skills, employment, entrepreneurship, technology, and leadership. She said that by providing appropriate economic opportunities, modern skills, and global-level platforms to youth, they can be transformed into a talented and productive force not only for Pakistan but for the entire world.
