International Youth Day 2025

As Today Marks International Youth Day (IYD) 2025, The Spotlight Shines Brightly On The Dynamic & Ever-Growing Youth Population Of Pakistan. A Nation Where Nearly 64 Percent Of Its People Are Under The Age Of 30. This Year’s Theme Is “Local Youth Actions For The SDGs & Beyond. Meaning This Highlights The Indispensable Role Young People Play In Translating Global Ambitions Into Tangible Community-Driven Realities — A Call That Resonates Deeply Within Pakistan’s Vibrant Youth. With over 65% Of The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Targets Linked To Local Governance, The Engagement Of Youth In Pakistan Is Not Just Beneficial, but I Believe It’s Essential. Young Pakistanis, From Urban Centers To Remote Villages In Provinces Like Balochistan, Can Bring Creativity, Insight, & Close Ties To Their Communities, Bridging The Perennial Gap Between Policy Frameworks & Ground-Level Implementation. The Role Of Local & Regional Governments, Which Are Often The Closest Touchpoints To Communities, Is Especially Critical In Harnessing This Youthful Energy. They Are Uniquely Positioned To Foster Inclusive Policies, Allocate Necessary Resources,& Create Structured Platforms For Youth Participation In Local Planning & Decision-Making Processes. When Authorities Collaborate With Youth Organizations, They Transform Innovative Ideas Into Impactful, Sustainable Solutions. Such Engagement Promotes Civic Participation & Nurtures The Leaders & Changemakers Of Tomorrow. This Milestone IYD Also Marks The 30th Anniversary Of The World Programme Of Action For Youth, A Global Framework Continuously Inspiring Young People To Become Key Actors In Sustainable Development & Participatory Governance. Discussions Ignited By This Year’s Theme Will Feed Into Upcoming International Forums, Including The Second World Summit For Social Development In Doha This November, Positioning Youth As Central Stakeholders In Shaping The Future. In Pakistan, Platforms Like Tawar-E-Pakistan Exemplify This Spirit By Amplifying The Voices Of Youth, Particularly From Underrepresented Regions Like Balochistan. Tawar-e-Pakistan focuses On Positive Storytelling, Youth Engagement,& Community-Driven Initiatives For Climate Change Awareness & Education. These are all major Pillars Linked To The SDGs. Through Fostering Community Dialogue & Empowerment, Tawar-e-Pakistan mirrors The Larger National Mission Of Elevating Youth Contributions To Build Resilient & Sustainable Futures. Not To Forget, The Status Of Young Pakistani Girls Reflects Significant Challenges And Ongoing Struggles, Particularly In Education & Social Empowerment. Education Remains An Important Area Where Girls Face Substantial Barriers. Over 13.7 Million Girls Are Out Of School, With A Girls’ Out-Of-School Rate Of 41.5%, Which Is Considerably Higher Than That Of Boys. Enrollment Drastically Decreases As Girls Move Up Through School Levels—From Primary To Secondary & Higher Education—Due To Structural Obstacles Such As Poverty, Lack Of Female Teachers, Inadequate School Infrastructure, And Unsafe Travel Environments. Rural Girls Are Especially Disadvantaged, Facing Higher Dropout Rates Fueled By Limited School Availability & Cultural Norms. The Shrinking Education Budget & Underinvestment Exacerbate These Issues. Pakistan’s Federal Education Budget For 2025-26 Saw A Steep Cut, Undermining Efforts To Improve Girls’ Access To Secondary Education. This Underfunding Threatens To Leave Millions Of Girls Without Opportunities To Complete Their Schooling & Contribute Fully To National Growth. Beyond Education, Young Girls Confront Other Challenges, Including Gender-Based Violence, Child Marriage, Honor Killings, & Societal Restrictions Limiting Their Mobility & Participation In Public Life. Early Marriage, Violence, and Harassment Also Contribute To Higher Dropout Rates And Mental Health Burdens On Young Girls. Despite These Difficulties, Initiatives From Local Organizations & International Partners Are Working To Empower Girls & Youth Of Pakistan. &  The Government Should Have To Make Ia t a Priority For Progress, & It Will begin with Youth Empowerment. So 65% of Pakistani Youth Cannot be Just Neglected For the sake of The State’s Poor Policies. This Youth Demand Education, Ease Of Doing Business, Training, & Enhanced Skills for Workers. If The Youth In Pakistan Are Not Actively Engaged And Catered To As Valuable Resources, They Risk Becoming Vulnerable To Exploitation By Extremist Groups, Turning Into A Threat Through Involvement In Terrorism, Extremism, And Hate-Driven Movements. Socio-economic hardships, Lack Of Education, Unemployment, and political polarization or cultural marginalization create fertile ground for radical ideologies to take root among disaffected young people. Extremist Groups Exploit These Vulnerabilities By Offering A Sense Of Identity, Purpose, & Belonging, Often Recruiting Youth Who Feel Excluded From Mainstream Society. The Youth of Balochistan & Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Proven Examples. Thus, failing to empower and integrate young people meaningfully into social and economic development can lead to increased radicalization and violence, Undermining National Stability &  Security. As Pakistan Strides Toward The 2030 Agenda, International Youth Day 2025 Is A Powerful Reminder: Young People Are Not Just Beneficiaries But Vital Partners In Development. Real Investments In Inclusive Youth Policies & Programs At Local & Regional Levels Will Accelerate SDG Implementation And Spark A Hopeful Transformation — Driven By The Passion, Innovation, & Resilience Of Pakistan’s Youth.