Imagine a Pakistan where its youth are not just seen, but heard- where they help shape the future rather than inherit it. As Rana Mashood moves closer to finalizing Pakistan’s new National Adolescent and Youth Policy (NAYP), a crucial question arises: will our youth continue to be passive recipients of policy decisions, or will they finally become the architects of their future? Across the globe, youth development has undergone a profound transformation. Traditional models of symbolic participation are being replaced with approaches where young people play a central role in policy design, execution, and evaluation. As the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aptly states, “True development is impossible without the active involvement of young people. Exclusion is neither sustainable nor ethical.”
This shift is driven by necessity. In a rapidly changing world with a burgeoning youth population—particularly in Asia and Africa—the need to empower young people as drivers of transformation has never been more urgent. Recognizing this, many countries have transitioned from youth-centric policies to youth-led decision-making. Youth councils, national academies, and targeted investments have made young people integral to governance, economics, and community development, transforming them into valuable national assets.
Interestingly, while Western nations are often cited as examples of successful youth inclusion, Rwanda in Africa offers an inspiring and often overlooked case. Despite its history of ethnic conflict, Rwanda has developed an inclusive youth framework that is both structured and effective. From grassroots to national levels, youth councils’ function across the country, with designated seats in governance, ensuring representation. Rwanda’s youth have played a pivotal role in peacebuilding and reconciliation since 1994, helping rebuild a fragmented society into a more unified nation. If Rwanda can transform a generation scarred by conflict into nation builders, why can’t Pakistan? Our ethnic diversity, much like Rwanda’s, holds immense potential—if embraced through inclusive and equitable frameworks. Unfortunately, outdated mindsets within Pakistan’s bureaucratic system have reduced youth to token stakeholders. Real decisions continue to be made behind closed doors, leaving young voices marginalized. Youth exclusionism in decision-making is pertinent throughout history.
Historically, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was the first to initiate a youth policy draft aimed at recognizing the role of young people in national development. The first formally approved youth policy, however, came under the PPP government in 2008–2009. Youth potential was acknowledged across key sectors like education, employment, health, and sports. Post-18th Amendment, youth affairs became a provincial responsibility. The federal youth ministry was dissolved, with provinces formulating their policies. In 2019, PTI introduced the National Youth Development Framework, which emphasized engagement in education, employment, and policymaking. However, it lacked structural measures and evidence-based planning to materialize the targeted goals, which limited its impact. Among provinces, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) developed one of the most detailed and inclusive youth policies, prioritizing civic engagement. Conversely, Balochistan’s approach has been vague, heavily dependent on federal support. In Sindh, educational quality remains poor, with students struggling in core skills. Punjab has made significant strides in education and health, but progress remains largely confined to urban centers, leaving rural youth disadvantaged. Similar disparities persist across rural regions in Sindh, KPK, and Balochistan, where youth are often deprived of basic services and opportunities.
These provincial policies highlight deep-rooted structural challenges—weak implementation, insufficient monitoring, and an urban bias that neglects marginalized and rural youth. Political participation remains symbolic, and the policymaking process is top-down, often disconnected from ground realities. Despite increased rhetoric around education, over 26 million children in Pakistan have never seen the inside of a classroom—half of them girls. Balochistan, in particular, suffers from alarmingly low literacy rates— 59 pc of its population with no educational opportunities. Many adolescent youths lack access to clean water and nutritious food. In health, the situation is equally dire: nearly 40% of children suffer from malnutrition and stunted growth.
While the narrative of “youth skills” and “employability” dominates development agendas, over 4.5 million Pakistani youth remain unemployed. A report by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) highlights root causes, including unequal education systems, lack of skills, regional disparities, and systemic budgetary neglect. Pakistan allocates only 0.8% of its GDP to education and nearly the same for health, one of the lowest rates in the region. This has come at a high cost; Pakistan ranks 168th on the Human Development Index as of 2025.
As we prepare to implement a new national youth policy, these realities cannot be ignored. We must increase education and health budgets to at least 4% of GDP each. Furthermore, a dedicated youth budget of 4% of GDP is essential, along with establishing youth-specific funds and implementing youth quotas—30% at national, provincial, and local government levels. Dozens of autonomous youth organizations are already active in Pakistan. The government’s role should be to empower these bodies through formal inclusion in policymaking structures, with reserved seats and defined responsibilities.
It’s time we understand that policies for the youth must be made with the youth. Decisions affecting two-thirds of our population cannot be made without their direct involvement. As the saying goes, “Policies for youth without youth are like shoes made by a carpenter—professionally constructed, but painfully misfit.”
The situation is not all doomed; there are signs of progress. The mission, led by Rana Mashood Khan in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has begun consultations in 25 cities, aiming to engage 50,000 to 60,000 young voices. These are commendable steps, but they are not enough. The process must evolve into a long-term, structural commitment. A detailed need-based assessment—urban and rural alike—must precede a comprehensive youth development framework that integrates youth into political, economic, and social systems.
Youth Council Pakistan (YCP) welcomes the development of this new policy and acknowledges the government’s outreach to youth groups and academic institutions. At the same time, YCP emphasizes the need for deeper structural reforms. Youth must not only be engaged in consultations but must hold dedicated portfolios in national, provincial, and local governments. Their involvement must extend from policy formulation to full-scale implementation.
Pakistan’s youth bulge is its greatest asset. Without placing them at the center of development, our future will remain uncertain and unsustainable. Youth Council Pakistan is committed to building an inclusive and sustainable youth ecosystem in partnership with government institutions. Our vision is clear and aligned with global trends, as youth empowerment without youth is toothless.
