What can the youth of Pakistan do today?

By
Nuzair Zia

Today’s world is the world of the powerful, the people who own the means of production. In simpler words, the people who possess the industries, businesses and have strong “contacts” control the functioning of all affairs. This is not something unpredicted or unusual, this was identified by the great German philosopher and socialist Karl Marx way back in the 19^th century. This is the perfect depiction of the superbly amazing thinking and mindset contained by human beings bestowed upon us by God. Scientific research has proven numerous times that the newer or current generations are way more intelligent and broad minded than any generations preceding them which indicates that the youth has the ability to change the world “single-handedly” despite any barriers to progress. Ali Moeen Nawazish is a prime example who has made us proud by securing 21 A’s in his A levels!

All you see and hear the puzzled Pakistani youth questioning nowadays is the confused inquiry of what can they do to make the already most dismal conditions of the society better? When they do not get a substantial answer, guess what do they do? They indulge in heinous crimes such as tyre burning, violent protests, bus crashing, restaurants bursting, stealing and what not! They have no respect for religion, human rights or the values taught to them at home and at educational level.

“Rush of blood” and “excitingly enthusiastic” are two common phrases attached with the youth but do they justify it in the right manner is the million dollar question and the unfortunate answer is no. One of the most dominant and aggressive leaders the world has seen, Adolf Hitler said, “He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future.” This shows us the significance of this dynamic generation and the power that it possesses.

One of the ideological leaders of the youth we see today in our country is the very competent and charismatic, Imran Khan, who is obviously held in high esteem by almost every single person in the nation as he led the national cricket team to the victory in World cup 1992 out of nowhere. The ability to inspire is the most important ingredient to cook up a change as done by Imran Khan. The situation of Pakistan in the 1992 world cup is very similar to the youth of today. There was a particular match in that world cup where Pakistan was bowled out for 70 odd runs but rain interfered and we avoided a defeat against England, however, we were easily able to defeat them in the final. This is a similar chance we have currently to fight back and the same man is again in the front to guide us to victory.

Jinnah said, “Pakistan is proud of her youth, particularly the students, who are nation builders of tomorrow. They must fully equip themselves by discipline, education, and training for the arduous task lying ahead of them.” The father of the nation always stressed upon the view that the youth of Pakistan will be the key to the protection of its sovereignty and the progress of the nation. He is the best example of a true and spirited leader who led at that time; a very ordinary and illiterate population of Muslims to the most precious gift one can have i.e. FREEDOM. “Imagine a leader like Jinnah or Gandhi holding a gun and achieving what they had?” – Ms. Naheed Malbari

An area of concern are the social networking sites such as facebook, orkut etc where the youth is pretending and preparing to be hyper active and show resilience but it is a sign of laziness when you only discuss matters and do not take appropriate action. What difference do you see in our parliamentarians and the youth if you restrict yourself to discussions? Go out, there is a whole world out for you to explore and crack a change in the society.

The question to be answered here is HOW? Firstly, try to offer ‘Salat’ 5 times a day. It teaches you the values of being disciplined, punctual, calm and composed in your everyday affairs and gives you soul satisfaction. Well, a very easy example. On the night before Eid (chand raat), many youngsters opt to go to the barber for a haircut, face massage etc. The barber already charges the double rate for his labour and then you see them being paid 100-200 Rs. extra as tip! Similarly, restaurant spending is done excessively too. Moreover, brands are taking over this increasingly globalized world. The same jeans costing 500 in Zainub Market is costing 2000 in Levis or any other branded shop and the youth yet has the foolishness to pay for it. Is this the right way to spend? There are a lot of more needy and deserving people out there in the streets to whom you can contribute that money.

Donate a book to some poor children that you usually dispose off to the vendor for 10-15 Rs. Call up some non-affording and needy children to your home and teach them just twice a week for 2 hours for free or if you are very well off, you can maybe open up a coaching centre where you can accommodate around 50 or more poor children and SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE with them. Take some time off the weekend and volunteer at some charity institute or orphanage not with your money but using your mind and physical ability only. You will feel very good about yourself. Education is the power that can improve this country’s situation at the earliest. Last but not the least, please go out there and vote during the elections! More than half of the people do not vote during the elections especially the youth and then we say that the wrong leader is elected. You may be limited in choice of good leaders but atleast there will be appropriate representation of the people!

The youth of today is just exploring and taking up “job-orientated” subjects such as accounts, physics, chemistry, economics etc but not going for social sciences such as Sociology, Psychology, Arts, Archaeology, World History etc which are very important to study the society and at the same time are even more paying than the conventional subjects. This is something that the parents should realize too!

The fact that remains here is that it would not happen in an instant. The great Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “Youth is easily deceived because it is quick to hope.” Any change that occurs takes at least a time frame of 10 years to occur, it cannot start off immediately. It took Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, more than 20 years but finally, he did achieve independence.

Mahatma Gandhi very truly pointed out, “Be the change that you wish to see in this world”. The youth has the ability to inspire an Inquilab (change) but it would first have to change the way it thinks and be a part of your own struggle and fight instead of messing up in the brawls of everyone else. Try to be diplomatic instead of entering in false consciousness of being “super cool” and “smart”. 1 lion in front of 1000 sheep, they all become lions; 1 sheep in front of 1000 lions, they all become sheep. Try and become that lion, the world is yours and yours only.