Many young Pakistanis who will vote for the first time in their lives on July 25 tell Dawn they believe it is time to think beyond biradari, tribe and ethnicity.
“Our generation is more aware politically. Our elders are stuck in the past and will continue voting for ‘hamare baap dada ki party’ or ‘nazariya’ regardless of what the party’s performance is. I hope to vote for people who will deliver." —Twenty-two-year-old Ghafoor Khan Yousafzai from Garhi Kapura, Mardan
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, there are around 46 million voters aged between 18 and 35 years, of whom 17.44 million fall in the 18 to 25 years age bracket.
Many are deeply unsatisfied with the lack of good services and governance they have seen while growing up and want to see a change. For those who have grown up in the shadow of terrorism, the voting process is going to be cathartic.
And so far, election manifestos from previous elections show no party has any long-term strategy when it comes to harnessing the power of youth.
Could the youth bulge spell danger for traditional, staid politics in Pakistan? The question remains whether young people will turn out to the polling stations.
Read what other young people have to say here.
