The Role of the Pakistani Youth in the Current Scenario

---

It is very important to know what is going on in the country rather than walking around and just believing in heresy and not having an own educated opinion.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Ahmadiyya Times
By Saira A. Nizami | May 9, 2013


With the year of the Elections 2013, it is a very hot topic amongst the youth.  Some say this party is right and that is not, some are not so educated on the current affairs and some wouldn't care less about Pakistan's elections.

No, I am not going to get into the whole debate of which party is better and which is not, because one should try to look at the different factors themselves and look towards the betterment of the society as a whole.

It is the youth that make the future of a nation.  Hence, the youth of Pakistan should keep the benefit of Pakistan in their minds when they are going to vote.

The youth need to think of themselves as the future leaders.  One leader cannot bring change to a whole society until and unless the society itself is willing to make a change.  The youth, as a collective, can prove very beneficial if their voice and strength goes in the right track.

The elections, being held at a time when the country is in such a fragile state gives reason to take the given points and reflect upon it.  Think about this:  Will my neighbor be taken care of?  Will the poor in the streets sleep in solace with the satisfaction of basic needs of food and shelter?  Will the women be respected?   Few of the biggest problems facing today's Pakistan are: Law & order, Economy, Energy, Health, Education, and Jobs.

All of the above points are co-related.

The youth need to educate themselves on history and also on current events – both of the country and outside so that they can better themselves and implement what is beneficial to the society.  It is very important to know what is going on in the country rather than walking around and just believing in heresy and not having an own educated opinion.

Load-shedding is a common term given to electricity outage, and as the weather gets warmer day by day, one will come across this term more often.  In order to resolve this situation other means of energy need to be found so that the general public does not rely on government or WAPDA for electricity.  Given the previous five years, it is a given that no expectations should be kept and preparations be made for alternative energy sources that are both energy and cost efficient.

The article 25-A of the Pakistan’s Constitution states that free and quality education should be provided by the state to the children of 5-16 years old.  It is another thing though, that only 80% of these children complete primary education.  Females especially are either not given further education after 10th, and in rural areas it is either none or goes till the 5th grade at most.  Both men and women should be educated, and our youth should think of educating themselves and moving the nation forward.  M. A. Jinnah has said, “No nation can reach the height of glory without your women by your side.” So be educated, and focus on equal treatment of all.

This education does not mean that forgetting everything and being a clean slate as soon as the semester is over, rather learning everything and also educating oneself on society and how to treat others.  Mutual respect should exist despite of any differences of color, cast, city, language, gender, and so on.  This is the only way the society can prosper.  Someone has said in very clear and simple terms, “Compassion: Pass it on.”

This education is with which the health and jobs will be taken care of.  Those in the medical field should be willing to be open to serving the less fortunate, give them treatment and medications which normally they will not be able to afford.  Who knows, that poor unfortunate person being helped today will grow up and be helpful to the people in the future.

Think about what is Pakistan's society made of - only Muslims or other religions too?  Aren't non-muslims also a part of Pakistan?  Don’t they live there?  Don't they deserve to have any rights? Think about what will benefit them - We are nothing unless united, and nothing until and unless all are treated equally under the flag of Pakistan.
Television adverts start with "Baba-e-qaum ne kaha" (father of the nation has said), but do we really care about what Mohammad Ali Jinnah said?  Pakistan was built on the basis of gaining religious freedom, it was supposed to be an all-inclusive and impartial government with equality for all irrespective of any differences. In his address to the Constituent assembly in 1947 Muhammad Ali Jinnah has said:

“You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the State.”

Pakistan has come a long way since then and has forgotten the reasons on which it was built.  The youth should think about the main factors and ponder on these issues as to what should be done to bring Jinnah's vision into perspective.  Invest your time and efforts in the right direction - Be the youth that are icons to building a better future of Pakistan.

  --  The Role of the Pakistani Youth in the Current Scenario


This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Ahmadiyya Times.