Adversaries use Youth as weapon against Pakistan and this factor demands urgent attention
By Agha Iqrar Haroon
The scenes appearing on social media from the violence planned by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, have compelled me to pen this piece because the way youth were burning the dead bodies of security forces personnel was beyond the imagination of a normal person and contrary to the social, religious, and ethical norms of Azad Kashmir and Pakistan.
These scenes show how the youth bulge has been used as a threat to the very foundation of the country. The lynching of two brothers and a Sri Lankan engineer in Sialkot, as well as the incident of Mashal Khan’s lynching in the past, were indicators that Pakistani youth must be addressed by the state and that this issue cannot be overlooked or ignored.
It was in November 2006 when, during a luncheon, I had the opportunity for a candid conversation with the then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who was promoting a narrative that “youth and a higher population are an opportunity, not a threat to Pakistan.” I humbly told him that such statements and official media campaigns portraying a higher population as an opportunity rather than a threat would encourage factors contributing to further disproportionate population growth, which even in 2006 was not in accordance with Pakistan’s size and natural resources. He did not like my opinion and expressed his discomfort, with the result that his staff no longer invited me to attend any official lunches or dinners, although I had been attending official briefings and other media interactions.
It has been reported throughout history that a population bulge requires smart planning to engage youth in constructive and academic activities; otherwise, this youth can become a weapon in the hands of adversaries. In 2006, I did not know that social media platforms and gadgets would arrive and disengage youth from realities, giving them the opportunity to live in a cyber-world instead of the real world around them. I did not know at that time that groups such as PTI, BLA, PTM, and TLP (although I was reporting on how TTP was abusing youth against Pakistan in KP) would emerge to exploit youth against the state. Things changed so rapidly, and now another phenomenon, JAAC, has emerged to exploit youth against state institutions.
Pakistan, with more than 64 percent of its population under the age of 30, possesses one of the largest youth populations in the world, and this youth bulge, lacking civil sense, vocational training, higher education, and job opportunities, is compromising not only economic growth rather threatening security of the country. There is now no iota of doubt left that it is becoming a source of social unrest, economic stagnation, and political instability. Countries such as Azerbaijan, China, Iran, and Uzbekistan have successfully harnessed this demographic advantage to increase productivity and competitiveness. East Asian economies such as Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore transformed their youthful populations into engines of development through strategic investments in education, skills development and employment generation. Despite having a young and energetic population, millions of Pakistani youth struggle with inadequate educational opportunities, limited access to quality healthcare, and a shortage of decent employment prospects. According to various national and international assessments, youth unemployment and underemployment remain pressing concerns. Many graduates enter the job market only to discover that their skills do not match industry requirements. The education sector remains one of the most critical areas requiring reform. While enrollment rates have improved over the years, learning outcomes (including skills education) continue to lag behind regional and global standards. A substantial number of children remain out of school, while many educational institutions lack the resources necessary to provide quality instruction. Furthermore, vocational and technical training programs are often insufficient to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy. Economic pressures, uncertainty about the future, and limited opportunities contribute to frustration and disillusionment among young people, while the lack of community engagement programs and recreational opportunities further aggravates the situation.
Security analysts and social researchers have long been raising concerns over the increasing involvement of young people in activities of various political and militant organizations, warning that youth are often mobilized to advance organizational objectives while facing the greatest risks themselves. However, governments over the last 20 years have not taken this concern seriously, while the civil administration appears least bothered by the situation.
It has been observed that Pakistan’s youth population has become a key target for recruitment and mobilization efforts by a wide range of groups, including Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). While these organizations differ significantly in ideology, objectives, and methods, I have reasons to believe that their target has been the ideological foundations of Pakistan. They work to erase the national spirit from the minds of youth and indoctrinate them into believing that the state is not concerned about their future and is not providing the opportunities they deserve. Corruption is civil system, social inequality and lack of basic resources such as healthcare and education provide food to abuse youth by the anti-Pakistan elements. Therefore, young people, used as fodder, are frequently placed at the forefront of campaigns, demonstrations, and operational activities. Emotional exploitation of youth is relatively easy, and young people are often attracted through emotional narratives (as used by the TTP/TLP model), identity-based appeals (as by PTM/BLA model) and promises of social or political change (as in the PTI model).
In past, security officials had expressed particular concern regarding militant organizations such as the BLA and TTP, which have been recruiting young individuals for violent activities. Counterterrorism experts say such recruitment can have devastating consequences for communities and families. Political observers point to the growing role of social media in influencing youth engagement. Platforms such as X, Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp have become important tools for mobilization, enabling organizations to rapidly disseminate messages and attract younger audiences. Sociologists argue that economic challenges, unemployment, political polarization, and limited opportunities can make young people more vulnerable to recruitment efforts by both political and militant actors. They call for greater investment in youth development programs, vocational training, and community initiatives aimed at channeling youthful energy into productive and peaceful activities.
Academicians believe that while political participation is important, it is the duty of educational institutions to train youth to carefully distinguish between legitimate democratic rights and illegal activities. Educational training in narrative analysis and critical thinking can help young people evaluate information, verify claims, and avoid involvement in unlawful or violent activities. Empowering young people through education, critical thinking, and democratic participation remains essential to ensuring that youth serve as agents of positive change rather than becoming instruments in the agendas of anti-Pakistan forces.
The responsibility for addressing the challenges of the youth bulge does not rest solely with the government. Political parties, the private sector, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and international development partners have important roles to play.
Social scientists consider that the youth bulge is neither inherently a blessing nor a burden. Its ultimate impact depends on how effectively the country invests in its young people. If provided with the right opportunities, education, and support, Pakistan’s youth can transform the nation’s economic and social landscape but the time to act is now, before a demographic advantage becomes a demographic liability and a tool in the hands of adversaries such as India, Afghanistan, Israel, and other countries that seek to harm Pakistan.
