Future of Youth is at stake

Future of the youth is at stake
Zar Ali Khan Musazai

Pashtun dominated areas have been under the war for almost last 3 decades. Similarly these areas have remained as the centers and nurseries for the terrorists and their activities. If one thinks over the reason, he or she will definitely realize soon that Pashtun territories lack education; face a conflict of the world powers of their interests, geographical status of this region, and a unique culture of the people inhibiting these areas also matters for the disturbed political situations. Before September 11, 2001, the world was almost unaware of this region or it had closed her eyes intentionally what so ever. The said sad incident opened the eyes of the entire world and the international community realized that there are areas called Afghanistan, Tribal territories and other Pashtun areas bordering Pakistan. Americans and NATO forces landed in Afghanistan after Washington was hit by terrorists where thousands innocent souls lost their lives which saddened the humanity as a whole. As the foreign forces under the umbrella of the UN came this act brought the black era of the terrorist Taliban to an end and a war against terror initiated. This will be an other question as to how much success is there in the war against terror for the last 8 years but it is above any doubt that the youth of this region have felt a deep impact on them. Terrorist activities have found a way towards tribal territories and other Pashtun areas under a well cooked conspiracy which almost all know and here I would like to avoid for the understood reasons.
When war started in Afghanistan against Taliban terrorists, the leadership of Al-Qaida and Taliban all came to tribal areas to get shelter and use the area as a shelter from where they would have to fire bullet against the peace keeping forces and fragile democratic government of Afghanistan. These elements remained silent for quite some time in the mountainous region but when the Americans went to Iraq to fight a war there these terrorists once again re-grouped and started attacks on the forces in Afghanistan. Suicide attacks increased. The youth who are used as suicidal attackers, their ages are usually between 14-25 years. There is a question as to why these youngsters are easily used for this heinous and inhuman act? The real responsibility lies on the shoulders of the ruling class. Rulers have been repeatedly saying that steps should be taken to curb such inhuman activities but practical steps are yet to seen on the grounds. The responsible people fail here to at least to describe what are the factors and reasons which have turned the youth to commit these terrorist activities. If we put a cursory view on the education institutions of the Pashtun areas, could we claim that these institutions in question furnish an education based on real scientific approach? Certainly our answer will be a big No. We can not claim that our education is based on the scientific approach. The education provided here, is almost redundant and out-dated. The number of education institutions is also not sufficient as to all youth could be accommodated in. When youth come out of these educational institutes, employment opportunities are also few or not it all for them where they could utilize their expertise and serve people. Philosophers say that a living being will do something but this is not clear whether his/her act will be for the benefit of the people or otherwise. In Pashtun areas all the ways leading towards good are closed. Now we should understand the fact that youth will find out new ways for them. So in such circumstances the youth are easily entrapped by the extremist and terrorist camps and they are used for the ulterior motives which are totally against humanity and established norms of the society. The Political leadership is to be held equally responsible. They do not seek access to the youth to promote them as the political workers and turn them the good citizens. They do not teach them political education. At same time parents are also responsible, because their children do not get proper time which they need for their proper brought up. Parents do not bother to ask as to who are the people whom their children sit with. What is their thinking? And what do these people do with their children?
If the situations are not improved, it is feared that a political anarchy and civil war will launch and then controlling it will not be possible. So this is our obligation to ponder over the worst situations and do not help taking it from bad to worse and on wards.
The present dirt prevailing on our soil has not been accumulated in a day or two but this process has taken a lot of time. We have to collectively get our hands united to take our people, land and youth to a brighter dawn and promising future where they could prove to be more positive and more constructive not only for our homeland but for the rest of the world as well.
(The writer is Executive Director Society for Rights and Development based in Peshawar-Pakistan and can be reached on srd.org.pk@gmail.com)