Role of Youth in the Development of FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Our beloved country in general and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in particular is rich in human and mineral resources. If gifted natural wealth enhances worth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the region, so does the youth of it which has the refined potential to overnight turn these resources into valuable commodities. However, youth of today has a massive task ahead to play their vital role in eradicating many social, religious and political evils from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Though at present, FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are facing a great number of predicaments and complex issues which starts a vicious cycle of associated problems like involvement of youth in politics, bank-household burglaries, social insecurity, lawlessness, use of drugs, etc, yet we, as member of this perturb society, quite optimistic that if our youth is given due attention they can reduce these constantly posing problems with ease. Presently, though our entire country is going through a great turmoil, but FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are the most affected areas concerning suicide attacks, drone and air-attacks, militants aggression, lawlessness, lack of infra-structure, unavailability of health and education facilities, absence of law and order, poverty, human rights violation and political instability. But the root cause of all these and other potential threats is lack of education. Education is the light that drives out all the darkness of brutality, vain pride and fruitless aggression. If our youth succeeds in washing away our tribal leaders opposition against education, then it can be anticipated that half the job is over. Tribal leaders unknown apprehensions for education, once replaced with love for it, would lay the foundations of affectionate feelings for people belonging to any political and religious creed, race, sect, gender or ethnic background. This notion of friendly feelings can substitute frustration among the tribal youth with hope for the better and prosperous future. Existence of peace and political stability will motivate government to provide means of education and healthy entertainment. The youth belonging to FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can be classified into two categories; one, who are literate and/or professionals, second, those who are illiterate and/or living in the affected areas. The educated lot can invest their energies, professional excellence and sympathetic consideration to get rid of aforementioned problems. Youth, connected with medical field, has two-fold role to play; first, they are to clear the negative perceptions of their parents, grandparents and relatives about the country and its government. Local doctors, who enjoy/enjoyed FATA scholarships, have the moral and personal obligation to pay back in terms of their untiring peace-producing services to the pain-stricken segment of the population in the FATA. General misconception that prevails in such backward areas is the feeling of deprivation. The local educated people can convince their old tradition-bound village folks that until the law and order situation is not ensured, no development can take place. Moreover, they must be enlightened with the fact that any progressive work will not only improve the physical condition of FATA but it will also provide many earning opportunities to the huge idle and less productive population who usually become victim to many social and political evils like drinking, smoking, drug-addiction, gun and violence culture, smuggling, sectarianism and even killing people for ransom. By providing this social comfort to the troubled population, the productive youth can give birth to a stable economy, ensure law and order, and bind together the entire population in the fabric of love, affection, trust and harmony. In addition to this, the young educated lot can pay frequent visits to their native villages and hold general informal talks with the young lot of villages. By such frequent and regular visits, they can utilize the potential and physical strength and mental toughness for positive purposes. In collaboration with many human-friendly NGOs, the educated youth can help establish many small scale plants where unskilled people can learn some professional skills which will enable them to earn their livelihood. Once young people start feeling pride in dignity of work, respect for women and violence-free environment, one can hope that initial hostility against developmental measures would surely be minimized if not completely eliminated. The youth has to become the agent of change in order to give way to long-lasting harmony and solidarity in the region. And once people of FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa shed their deep-rooted impatience, aggression and intolerance; they would be marching towards the peaceful life where one can visualize the growth of economy and feeling of brotherhood. Moreover, the youth can also bring awareness among the rest of the people local and foreigners about the living mode of the tribal people. Youth of today, by holding seminars, workshops and walks, can bridge the gap between the inhabitants of FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and foreigners who consider them rude, intolerant and threat to our nuclear plant. Once the understanding between the oppressed and the oppressor is achieved, there would an environment of serene peace and tranquility,
Educated womens contribution in the development of FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cannot be ignored. It is tragic fact that many women in tribal areas are not allowed to get examined by the male doctors. Native women doctors can set up their own clinics once for a month in a year where female patients can be examined by female staff. That would not only alleviate sufferings of women population but also inspire them to send their daughters to schools for education.

It is fact that nobody can see the displaced children of Northern or any other areas running around at the traffic signals: used, abused and bruised. Similarly, no one is such a merciless person to listen to the woes of a pain-stricken mother lamenting on her deceased children, without taking pity on her.

But, on the other hand, youth and other concerned agents cannot afford to be silent spectators at the burning issues of our dear motherland. If our working principle is all is well outside ones doorstep then sooner or later this fire will engulf us, too. Therefore, we are to step ahead and invest our potential, time and wealth in order to wisely employ the physical strength and mental toughness of the inhabitants of FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in productive activities. Do good today or it will never happen tomorrow.