Executive Summary
With over 64% of Pakistan’s population under the age of 30 and a median age of approximately 24 years, youth constitute Pakistan’s most significant demographic asset—and its most vulnerable constituency in contexts of conflict and instability. This policy brief examines the critical role of Pakistani youth in peace-building, highlighting both their exposure to conflict-related disruptions and their potential as agents of sustainable peace.
For Pakistani youth, peace is not merely the absence of violence; it encompasses social justice, inclusion, economic opportunity, dignity, and harmonious coexistence. However, persistent challenges—such as economic inequality, political instability, sectarian tensions, ethnic divisions, and religious extremism—continue to undermine these aspirations. Youth disproportionately bear the consequences through disrupted education, limited employment prospects, psychological trauma, and social marginalization.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) have played a vital role in addressing these challenges by equipping young people with conflict resolution and peace-building skills through peace education, peer mediation, youth clubs, and community outreach initiatives. While evidence on short-term outcomes remains mixed, long-term studies suggest meaningful improvements in non-violent conflict resolution and civic engagement among participants.
This policy brief argues that systematic youth engagement is indispensable for sustainable peace in Pakistan. It proposes a multi-pronged policy framework centered on peace education, youth-led initiatives, enabling legislation, institutional collaboration, and technology-driven engagement. By empowering young people as peacebuilders rather than passive victims, Pakistan can address present conflicts while preventing future cycles of violence.
Preamble
This policy brief explores the role of Pakistani youth in building a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient society. It examines how young people understand peace, identify conflict drivers, assess existing peace-building initiatives, and propose solutions grounded in lived realities.
In a country shaped by complex intersections of global pressures and domestic challenges, youth perspectives are indispensable. Pakistani youth experience conflict not only as observers but as direct stakeholders—students whose education is interrupted, workers facing unemployment, and citizens navigating political uncertainty.
Their conception of peace extends beyond silencing weapons. It reflects aspirations for unity, tolerance, equal opportunity, and collective progress. Understanding these perspectives allows policymakers and practitioners to design interventions that resonate with youth realities rather than imposing top-down solutions.
The brief also evaluates existing peace-building efforts by CSOs, academic institutions, and development actors, identifying both successes and limitations. The ultimate objective is to outline a roadmap that strengthens youth participation in peace-building through targeted, inclusive, and sustainable policy measures.
Conflict Factors and Their Impact on Youth
Conflicts in Pakistan emerge from a complex interaction of socio-economic, political, cultural, and religious factors, rather than isolated triggers. Religious and sectarian divisions, ethnic tensions, political polarization, and economic exclusion collectively shape a fragile conflict environment.
Youth are among the most affected. Conflict disrupts education, limits economic mobility, and damages psychological well-being, often reinforcing cycles of marginalization. According to the United Nations, approximately 20 million Pakistani children and youth are affected by conflict, while Pakistan has incurred over $100 billion in economic losses due to prolonged instability. UNICEF reports that nearly 60% of youth in conflict-affected areas have directly experienced violence, underscoring the urgency of intervention.
Despite these challenges, youth also represent a powerful force for peace. When supported, they can foster cross-cultural dialogue, challenge extremist narratives, and promote tolerance within their communities.
Key Conflict Triggers in Pakistani Society
Religious and Sectarian Tensions
Diverse interpretations of religion, coupled with discrimination against minority communities, have fueled sectarian violence and social exclusion. Incidents such as the Mashal Khan lynching (2017) highlight how religious extremism can devastate youth spaces and suppress critical thinking.
Economic Inequality
Sharp urban–rural divides and unequal access to education, healthcare, and employment generate grievances that increase susceptibility to unrest and radicalization. World Bank research (2023) confirms that economic deprivation in rural Pakistan correlates strongly with social instability.
Ethnic and Cultural Strains
Cultural diversity, when politicized or rigidly interpreted, can trigger violence. Practices such as honor-based violence illustrate how distorted cultural norms disproportionately harm young people, especially women.
Political Instability
Frequent political crises, contested elections, and governance failures—most notably during the 2022–23 political unrest—have eroded public trust, disrupted institutions, and constrained youth participation in democratic processes.
Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
CSOs in Pakistan have adopted diverse strategies to engage youth in peace-building:
- Peace education programs in schools and communities
- Peer mediation initiatives that train youth to resolve disputes
- Conflict resolution clubs promoting dialogue and civic engagement
- Peace caravans using art, theatre, and music in remote areas
While short-term impacts vary, longitudinal studies—such as research conducted by Aga Khan University—indicate that participants demonstrate greater reliance on peaceful conflict resolution methods years after program completion.
Why Youth Engagement Matters
Engaging youth in peace-building is essential because:
- They are the most affected by conflict, including displacement and violence.
- They offer innovative, future-oriented perspectives often absent in traditional policymaking.
- Early engagement reduces the likelihood of future violence, fostering long-term social cohesion.
Policy Options
1. Integrate Peace Education
Institutionalize peace education across all levels of schooling, emphasizing conflict resolution, tolerance, and human rights. Invest in teacher training and curriculum development.
2. Support Youth-Led Peace Initiatives
Create dedicated funding mechanisms, mentorship programs, and capacity-building platforms for youth-led peacebuilding organizations.
3. Enabling Legislation
Enact laws that protect youth peacebuilders, promote dialogue, and allocate resources for peace initiatives, aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 2250.
4. Government–CSO Collaboration
Strengthen partnerships between state institutions and CSOs for coordinated, community-based peace interventions.
5. Leverage Technology
Utilize digital platforms, mobile applications, and online forums to connect young peacebuilders, disseminate resources, and promote dialogue nationwide.
Gap Analysis and Implementation Challenges
Despite existing frameworks, implementation remains weak due to insufficient funding, fragmented coordination, limited youth participation in policymaking, and political instability. Addressing these gaps requires:
- Meaningful youth representation in policy design
- Dedicated and sustained financing
- Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms
Conclusion
Pakistan’s youth are not merely beneficiaries of peace—they are essential architects of it. By embedding youth engagement within policy, legal, educational, and institutional frameworks, Pakistan can transform its demographic challenge into a strategic advantage. An inclusive, youth-centered peace-building agenda will not only stabilize Pakistani society but also contribute to broader regional and global peace efforts.
