It is disheartening to say that the youth of Pakistan today faces a slew of problems such as living in conditions of inequality, poverty, underdevelopment, unemployment and ignorance as well as humiliation. This is especially true of the youth in Sindh, my home province.
Many cities, towns and villages in the province are afflicted with water shortage and very few housing facilities. Education and health facilities are also nearing collapse in ,amy areas. Parks do not exist but where they exist, they are filled with thieves. HIV/AIDS and other illnesses run rampant. The industrial base – a cornerstone of urban economies – is underdeveloped or non-existent.
In this dismal scenario, the provincial youth affairs department must generate awareness and understanding of development issues in Sindh province, with special reference to rural youth. The provincial department in collaboration with the national and international organizations such as UN bodies, USAID, JICA, SDC, etc must launch programs, workshops and training courses to facilitate the youth and provide it with development opportunities and ways to progress. There must be special emphasis on promoting tolerance, dialogue, and respect for others regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, geographical location, ability, religion, status or political affiliation. This can be done through promoting ideals of influential local thinkers like Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai etc. To empower the youth, there is a need for working towards a society free from substance abuse, violence, coercion, crime, degradation, exploitation and intimidation.
Our rulers must bear in mind that one of the major causes of the prevalent crisis in the country is lack of youth development. The situation in which the Sindhi youth finds itself must be addressed. I am reminded here of the wise words of my late teacher and mentor, Asadullah Pathan from Larkano, who said that “a country, and a nation that does not value its youth does not deserve its future.”