RAWALPINDI, April 19: Rising unemployment among youth is forcing them to indulge in criminal activities, public representatives and student leaders said at a seminar here on Wednesday.

The seminar entitled “Prevention of crimes and moral education of youth” was organized by Saiban Students Welfare Organisation. The speakers said that limited job opportunities and high cost of living was forcing the educated youth to indulge in such activities that were detrimental to the society.

Rawal Town Nazim Sheikh Rashid Shafique blamed rising unemployment and galloping price hike for pushing the youth towards crime. “When they do not find jobs to their satisfaction through fair means, the only option available to them is to indulge in anti-social activities to make ends meet,” he added.

The nazim regretted that educated youth were stealing purses, snatching vehicles and even abducting people for ransom. He said that graduates were ready to even work as sanitary workers. He stressed the need for creation of more job opportunities to exploit the talent of the youth for the betterment of the country.

Sheikh Rashid Shafique said that sports facilities would be established in five to six union councils for the youth so that they could get an opportunity to involve themselves in healthy activities.