I am writing to highlight a pressing issue that affects over 65 percent of our population: the youth of Pakistan. Every week, we hear about another bright young student leaving the country for foreign universities. They are not leaving solely for better degrees; they are seeking basic respect and functional opportunities that are lacking at home.
The Silent Crisis of Youth Disengagement
Our youth is becoming a silent statistic of frustration. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26, youth unemployment has crossed 15 percent. Additionally, almost 40 percent of graduates feel that their skills do not match market demands. The recent stock market crash and rising inflation have made entry-level jobs even harder to secure. Digital freelancing remains under-promoted, especially outside major cities.
Three Practical Proposals for the Government
I am not calling for radical protests or unrealistic promises. Instead, I have three simple requests for the government. First, make at least one vocational or digital skills course compulsory in every college semester. Second, establish district-level youth mentorship hubs with private-sector partnerships. Third, provide tax incentives to companies that hire fresh graduates for two-year paid traineeships.
Youth disengagement is not just a headline; it is a slow-burning fuse. Let us not wait for the explosion.
KIRAN YASEEN, Peshawar.
