Youth Political Disengagement in Pakistan: Causes and Consequences

Abstract

The study examines the Pakistan’s increasing youth political disengagement problem which poses a threat to stability of Pakistan. Finding the root cause of this disengagement and understanding its long term effects on the country’s democracy and governance are the main goal. Since youth have historically been important in political initiatives, historical studies show that after the ban on student union and the emergence of dynastic politics, there was a trend toward disengagement. The study looks at the causes of disengagement using a descriptive and exploratory approach and gathers information from focused discussion with individuals aged 18 to 35.The results shows that disengagement is caused by political mistrust, elite power, unstable governance, lack of civic education and socio-economic issues. The study also highlights the way in which youth civic engagement is essential to support the stability of Pakistan’s democratic system and understanding the strategies of youth political disengagement. The study recommendations demands for the restoration of student union, setting up the youth quotas in parliament and the addition of meaningful civic education in order to restore the political engagement of youth.