JOHN F. Kennedy rightly stressed that the future potential of any nation can be directly measured by the present prospects of its youth. In Pakistan, the youth constitutes 64 per cent of the population. This large segment faces significant barriers that impede both personal and professional growth of the young individuals, and compel them to seek opportunities abroad, adding to the phenomenon of brain drain.

Besides, this trend is not solely a matter of individual choice, but rather a conse-quence of systemic failures, including outdated educational policies, restrictive employment opportunities, and the general neglect of youth concerns by the country’s policymakers.

For instance, every month, we come across notifications announcing decisions to hire retired officials on prestigious positions. In contrast, the age limit for those applying in the government sector is capped at 28 years.

Recently, the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) announced hundreds of jobs without offering any age relaxation for the youth. Although many young individuals have raised concerns and formally written to the relevant authorities, their concerns remain a low priority for the policymakers.

It is time for the government to make amendments to the recruitment process, ensuring that the young do not reach a point where they prioritise opportunities abroad over those in their own homeland.

Mir Mansoor Mangrio
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2024