Extremism in Youth | OP-ED | Security Lense | 23-Oct-2024
“The youth are the leaders of tomorrow, but without guidance, they can become the misled of today.”
Pakistan has seen a concerning increase in extremism among its youth in recent years. This phenomenon is not only a reflection of socioeconomic difficulties but is also a result of the declining political engagement among youngsters and has left a void that extremists are too eager to fill. Pakistan’s youth, who make up a sizable section of the population, are facing several difficulties. The root cause of frustration is economic uncertainty, unemployment, and hopelessness among the youth. The recent incident at Punjab College, Lahore, has stirred up the whole nation, making people wonder how widespread this trend of extremism is among our youth. There has been an escalation of students’ outrage and protests when a female student was allegedly raped by the security guard. It constitutes a tragic reminder of the insecurities that so many young Pakistanis face and how unrest can result from a lack of political engagement. When they begin to hit the streets demanding safety and justice, it is clear that their complaints are about more than an isolated incident. Their complaints are just one symptom of a much larger problem.
The narratives surrounding the incident reveal contrasting perspectives from the government and students. The Punjab government has adopted a strong position. At first, the authorities halted the college’s registration. This decision was taken in response to student protests. However, the allegations of sexual assault were denied by the results of an investigation carried out by a committee appointed by the CM Punjab. Students also stress that there was actual sexual assault committed in the incident. They say the government’s refusal to support the allegations was biased and designed to protect the reputation of the college rather than seek justice for the victim. This disconnect between youth and government allows for extremist ideologies to plant themselves as the majority or other means of protesting. Students demanded justice and more security after this tragedy, which led to widespread protests in Lahore and other cities of Punjab. To maintain law and order, the government took serious steps and deployed law enforcement agencies to tackle the protesting parties and prevent further chaos. After the students had blocked many of the city’s roads, set fire to, and vandalized public property, hundreds were taken into custody, and gatherings were banned by imposing Article 144. Police faired out protesters using tear gas and batons, which created injuries on both parties.
There is certainly the obvious absence of any political motivation and very little respect for governance. Students gathered in the streets to protest because they believed their concerns were being dismissed and their voices were not being heard. The Punjab Government put their allegations on opposition parties to be involved in this series of events and politicize a very critical issue. The opposition political parties, on the other hand, leveled extremely similar charges against the regime in power. The ruling party—the Punjab government in this case rushed to close down educational institutions and ban gatherings, thus suppressing students’ right to peaceful gathering and their constitutional right to express dissent. Moreover, students look for other methods to voice their dissatisfaction and affirm themselves. Using social media, they spoke out with complaints and plans for protests, and spread awareness. But it also resulted in the dissemination of false information, which made the situation complicated. Social media is like a two-edged sword: it gives students the ability to express their concerns, but it also raises tensions and helps circulate false information. Thus, a multi-dimensional approach is required to reduce extremism, starting with educational reforms and incorporating values, ethics, and tolerance in the curriculum so that responsible individuals can show their identity. Also, civic education can shape constructive political engagement in the young generation.
Furthermore, the promotion of political participation through youth forums allows youngsters to connect with legislators, fills the gap between students and authorities, and guarantees that their opinions are heard. Similarly, the mentorship programs also reflect on young people during adversities. Educators must focus on instructing young people on how to recognize fake news, especially online. Lastly, bringing down those who do not have jobs would include the creation of employment opportunities or industrial training zones, as it is one of the major factors of rise extremism. It is high time we question ourselves as to whether such acts will be a great opportunity for having real political dialogues with our youth and saving them from indulging in a vicious cycle of radicalism or let the extension continue when other incidents just give stark reminders to alert us that extremism among the young generation is growing. As we reflect on the events that unfolded, we must ask ourselves: whether we continue to push them further into the arms of extremism. Or are we willing to make efforts in a future where youth can express their emotions without going to violence?
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