KARACHI: Pakistani youth are largely uninterested in politics because political leaders have failed to give them direction while the bureaucracy and establishment have always maligned politicians, which has also kept them away from activism and political engagement.

This was expressed by speakers at a seminar “Youth’s Disen­gagement from Politics” organised by the Awami Huqooq the other day at the Karachi Press Club to commemorate the 45th death anniversary of communist leader Nazir Abbasi. It was moderated by Abdul Khaliq Zadran.

They also said that capitalism and consumerism have weakened ideological politics across the world, due to which people now care only about basic needs and see little hope in ideological struggles.

Speaking on the occasion, Nazir Abbasi’s widow Hameeda Ghangro paid tribute to her late husband.

She spoke about his political struggle and sacrifices for the communist cause and said that he was a man of courage who always stood up for the rights of labourers and hard workers.

Journalist Mazhar Abbas said the youth in Pakistan are depoliticised and unaware of the struggles of political leaders, particularly those of the left wing.

He said hardly a few young people know who Nazir Abbasi was and what sacrifices he made for progressive politics and that’s mainly because the political leadership and intellectuals in the country have failed to reach out to the youth.

He also said the left is divided and scattered, and there are multiple communist parties, just because of insignificant reasons, which has weakened their unity and cause. Therefore, he called for leftist politicians to unite and lead the way.

Dr Riaz Sheikh, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Szabist University, said ideological politics across the world has eroded due to capitalism and neoliberalism. That too has affected youth’s interest in politics and activism.

Besides that, he said, politics of the left has always been sidelined in Pakistan because the authorities are afraid of those who demand their rights and fight for them.

Newsman Sohail Sangi said there’s no space for youth in political parties, and student unions are also absent.

He added that freedom of speech is shrinking even in universities, where “letters are being sent by authorities” asking them to show the topics of conferences, seminars and their speakers before organising them.

Leftist leader Taj Mari believed that the youth are interested in politics, but it is injustice and oppression in society that keep them away. Young people have a hatred for politicians and think of state institutions as corrupt.

He said that instead of leading their way, there’s a need to put the youth in leadership roles now as they are much more aware and understand present issues better.

Ghulam Nabi Chandio of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2025