OPINION: Power, youth (Gen Z and Gen Alpha) and the promise of Pakistan’s Uraan

Power is often misunderstood. Traditionally, it has been perceived either as a tool to coerce consensus and manufacture patriotism, or conversely, as a force that erodes consensus and weakens patriotic sentiment. In the context of a rapidly transforming society dominated by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, both interpretations fall short.

In this new reality, power at its most effective is not about engineering loyalty or suppressing dissent. Rather, it is about managing an already evolving consensus—one shaped by aspirations, awareness, and expectations—and responding meaningfully to the lived realities of younger generations.

Pakistan presents a particularly compelling case study. It is deeply unjust to arrive at shallow conclusions about the state of consensus or to pass sweeping judgments on patriotism by dovetailing complex realities with populist rhetoric.

The Pakistani youth—now the largest demographic cohort—does indeed feel socially, economically, and politically alienated.

But this sentiment is not unique to Pakistan. It is a global phenomenon observed in societies that have experienced rapid demographic transitions over the past two decades.

What has been particularly unfortunate in Pakistan’s case is that both conventional and emergent political forces have often chosen the path of populism over evolution.

Instead of patiently walking the youth through a sophisticated process of socioeconomic and political maturation—towards a secure space where they can express dissent, innovate, and lead—many have relied on slogans and emotional appeals to capture attention and allegiance.

This dynamic has been further complicated by the advent of social media. Traditional class structures, once explainable through a Marxian lens, have eroded. In their place has emerged a new class structure where aspirations—not income or lineage—are the defining factor.

Today, a young person from an elite household consumes the same digital content as one from a marginalized background. This convergence of exposure has fueled a dramatic rise in aspirations across the youth bulge, and inevitably, an increase in grievances when systems fail to keep pace.

To label these grievances and deprivations as a sign of evaporating patriotism—or worse, to declare Pakistan a “lost cause”—is profoundly unjust to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Grievances are not a rejection of the state; they are a by-product of expectations born from aspirations. Properly understood, this moment represents not a crisis, but an opportunity—an opportunity to rally this very generation behind a national cause that can power Pakistan’s next ascent.

However, this opportunity comes with a critical caveat. The vulnerability of youth must not be exploited by the dangerous ideation of a Messiah—a larger-than-life savior portrayed as all-knowing, all-righteous, and indispensable.

Pakistan’s history offers sobering lessons of how such narratives have deepened polarization, fueled radicalization, and pushed society into cycles of chaos.

The youth does not need a messiah; it needs meaningful participation, clarity of direction, and trust in institutions.

This is where the responsibility of those who wield influence—political leaders, policymakers, intellectuals, and opinion shapers—becomes paramount. The pen must be used to forge consensus, not fracture it. And the consensus this generation deserves is not rhetorical—it is strategic.

What is Pakistan’s development direction?

• Is it about expanding and diversifying exports?

• Making Pakistan digitally ready and globally competitive in emerging technologies?

• Securing food and water resources while building environmental resilience?

• Accelerating the transition to green and sustainable energy?

• Anchoring growth in social equity, justice, ethics, and inclusion?

• Empowering young minds to become agents of positive transformation?

If those in power speak consistently and credibly on these questions, Pakistan’s youth will rally behind such a positive agenda. And it will not merely be the state’s vision—it will become Youth ki Uraan, the flight that delivers on the promise of Uraan Pakistan.

This moment gains even greater significance as the country emerges from a historic and defining chapter—Marka-e-Haq, a magnificent victory where Pakistan’s armed forces neutralized an existential threat to the nation. It was a test of patriotism for all Pakistanis, especially the youth. That victory rode on collective resolve and national unity.

The same patriotism can now propel Pakistan into Marka-e-Taraqqi—a decisive battle for progress. Across public and private sectors alike, countless young Pakistanis—many of whom returned after acquiring world-class education and experience—are already contributing quietly and effectively to national development. Their stories rarely make headlines, but they represent the real Pakistan.

Despair, resentment, and friction are not signs of decay; they are healthy components of societal evolution. But when these emotions are weaponized to question the patriotism or commitment of an entire generation, such narratives must be firmly rejected. Too often, Pakistan and its people are reduced to opinion polls by voices speaking from a distance—passing judgments on those who live, struggle, and contribute within the country. The youth of Pakistan is fully capable of articulating its own reality and shaping its own future and don’t need interpreters from those who are at distance.

No argument on this subject is complete without a direct message to political parties and those in power: the youth is your largest and most important stakeholder. It cannot be engaged through patronage networks or transactional politics. This generation wants a seat at the table and recognition of their agency. It wants representation by those it can relate to. It seeks participation, not symbolism. It rejects chaos and the illusion of saviors. It wants to rise—and to make Pakistan rise with it.

Their future is Pakistan’s future. And they know it.

As Bulleh Shah so powerfully reminds us: Bulleh Shah asa marna nahi

Gor Peya koi hor

The youth of Pakistan is not waiting for another grave to worship. It is ready to chart a future—grounded in hope, guided by purpose, and driven by collective progress.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026