Unleashing the Potential of Youth of KP
By Zeeshan Hoti
A comprehensive analysis and achievements in the field of human development is incomplete without considering the odds and opportunities at hand, as it profoundly influences the process of development. Thus, to achieve the goals of a sustainable progress, Pakistan has initiated multiple youth developmental projects, given the available resources and expertise to foster social cohesion in Pakistani society. These are youth-led movements that would tear down socio-cultural and communal barriers and progressively utilize the immense social diversity to protect their rights as well as the rights of other marginalized groups.
According to the report of United Nation Population Fund, one-third of Pakistan’s population is between the age of 10 and 24. The decisions they make now as 
they navigate from adolescence to adulthood will determine not only their own future, but for their families and communities. So, if provided with skills, trainings and opportunities they could become an asset to the state and contribute a whole some to the economy, social and political development of Pakistan.
To contribute to the aforementioned goals, localized solutions and gender-sensitive approaches are adopted in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa so that the youth both men and women can move forward and play their part as architects of the future. KP youth has developed a deeper understanding of social entrepreneurship, and how they could efficiently use their skills to help Pakistan achieve the SDGs. They have been given vocational trainings, diplomas and other such opportunities through public inclusive policies ensuring the youth participation in various fields, relevant to the fast-moving world of technology and ecommerce.
As per the report of UNDP32 women law students and graduates from the Merged Areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, mainly Waziristan and Bajaur areas, were provided scholarships to complete their degrees and join the legal profession.200 women joined the KP Women Lawyers’ Forum, increased in number from 160 the year before. This increased women’s representation in the legal profession and improved their access to justice. Beside this, in collaboration with UNDP, local administrative bodies have conducted training sessions, through which 201 young journalists got the opportunity to practiced evidence-based and gender-sensitive reporting, with reinforced principles of verification and journalistic ethics.
By completing such internships, 24 KP youth received the hands-on experience and confidence to effectively make demands on decision-makers. Moreover, Young people learned vital technical skills like the use of heavy machinery and mining skills and entrepreneurship, to serve as an active member of the society and contribute to the prosperity of country, and kick-started economic activity. Through technical and pre-employment training conducted under the supervision of Armed Forces and local administration, 618 youth, among which 268 are women, had begun contributing to their region’s economic growth, and 212 (97 women) accessed finance and business incubation services.
With such the persistent efforts put forward by Pak Army and civil organizations towards the development of youth, 100 young women, including former offenders were drawn away from violent activities through psychosocial counseling supports. They were given training, through various development programs, on marketable skills so to provide them with the much-needed opportunity to part of the mainstream global trends.
Since 2021 till now almost 600 KP youth have pursued the digital scholar courses during which they learned marketable skills for the digital economy, on software quality assurance and app store optimization. And 1,000 KP women improved their employability through digital training. Women are now involved in freelancing entrepreneurship in KP. It enhanced gender inclusivity through the increased interest of female graduates to avail the benefits of the freelance digital economy brought the freedom for all talented women to earn and get them empowered without compromising on “chaddar and char deewari”.
Furthermore, to tackle the soaring unemployment ratio and provides youth with economic opportunities in the province, KPITB launched its flagship initiative. The young generation desperate for financial independence availed the opportunity with open hands and acquired the in-demand digital skills and knowledge required by local and foreign industries. The initiative was launched in 2016 with an object to bridge the skill gap and establish a thriving ecosystem that supports innovation with a core foundation of large digital skill workforce.
Among hundreds of success stories one such notable achiever is Syed Arsalan Ali Shah. He is an internet entrepreneur, a Top-Rated Freelancer, Founder & CEO of Connected Pakistan- an award-winning digital freelancing agency. He has trained thousands of students on Fiverr and Freelancing who are now industry icons and running their own successful ventures. He was appointed by Microsoft as a Lead Trainer to execute Microsoft’s Rozgar. Work initiative for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to generate employment through freelancing. He has been awarded as one of the best trainers Prime Minister Islamic Republic of Pakistan in KP Youth Employment Program.
These demographic variations of youth have a profound capacity to add to the prosperity of Pakistan if given equal access to health, education and livelihood. Thus, their grievances need to be addressed through progressive and inclusive policies. At these early stages of development, youth require better and affordable education opportunities and training facilities so that skill development can be ensured. Yet, local administrative bodies in close cooperation with armed forces has initiated various youth engagement programs to enhance young people participation and include their voices in policy making and decision making.
