QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani has said that unemployment among the youth and poverty have a direct link with social risks such as crime, insurgency and unrest in parts of the province.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the second International Youth Summit — organised by the Unive­rsity of Lahore to deliberate on “Peace, Culture and Inclusive Societies” — on Monday, he said in Baloc­histan a very low percentage of children completed secondary education.

“This results in more than three quarters of the youth to exit the educational system and enter labour market without any foundational or life skills,” he said.

The chief minister said that a majority of those who ended up in elementary occupations or remain unemployed were women.

Mr Alyani said that conversations of peace, culture and inclusive societies was required not only in the country but at the global level as well. “When I look at the challenges of my province, this theme is one of the most important conversations required for progress,” he said.

The chief minister pointed out that unemployment was on the rise because of limited job opportunities in public sector and stagnant growth in the private sector. He said other major constraints of youth employment included social and cultural norms, lack of quality technical institutions and sustainable urban development.

Although the government of Balochistan with the support of Pakistan Army was pursuing a plan for youth engagement and mainstreaming in the province, the challenges were much bigger that required holistic and integrated strategies, he added.

“We need to initiate a ‘counter-insurgency strategy’ through economic development to impart quality education and technical skills, and create strong communication mobility and jobs in the private sector,” the chief minister said.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2018