— PTI leader says millions of educated, skilled Pakistanis have left the country in frustration over unemployment, lack of opportunities and deprivation
— Pakistan has one of the world’s youngest populations, with a significant proportion of its population below the age of 30
By Irum Saleem
PTI senior leader and former federal minister Moonis Elahi has expressed concern over the growing unemployment, lack of educational opportunities and disillusionment among Pakistani youth, saying millions of educated and skilled young people had left the country in search of better prospects.
In a message marking International Youth Day, Moonis Elahi said the occasion should prompt serious reflection on the challenges confronting young Pakistanis rather than merely be observed as a ceremonial day.
آج نوجوان اپنا عالمی دن منا رہے ہیں۔ مگر پاکستانی نوجوانوں کی اکثریت بیروزگار، غیرتعلیم یافتہ اور محروم ہے۔ لاکھوں تعلیم یافتہ اور ہنرمند نوجوان مایوس ہو کر ملک چھوڑ چکے ہیں۔ افسوس، نہ پاکستانی نوجوان کی بات سنی جا رہی ہے نہ اسے بات کرنے دی جا رہی ہے۔ @UNYouthAffairs
— Moonis Elahi (@MoonisElahi) August 12, 2026
جو نوجوان حق کی بات کرے گا وہ دہشت گردی کے مقدمات کے لئے تیار رہے یہ سلوک کیا جارہا ہے یوتھ کے ساتھ یہاں کوئی ائین و قانون نہیں کوئی رول اف لاء نہیں تو ایسے نوجوان کیسے ترقی کرے اس کو تو مایوسی ہی ملے گی یہاں سےملک کیسے ترقی کرے گا پڑھے لکھےلوگوں کو یہاں پیچھے دکھیلا جاتا ہے جاہل
— ADV CH JUNAID NISAR SANDHU (@ChjunaidSandhu8) August 12, 2026
“Today, young people are celebrating International Youth Day. Yet the majority of Pakistani youth remain unemployed, uneducated and deprived,” he said in a post on his X account.
He lamented that a large number of educated and skilled young Pakistanis had become frustrated with the situation at home and opted to leave the country.
International Youth Day manana asaan hai, youth ko opportunities dena mushkil.
— Subeka (Sorath) (@sorathsorath) August 12, 2026
Degree, skill, experience sab hai bas future nahi hai yaha.
Tabhi to airport par lines lambi hain…..
Jab tak ye na badla gaya Pakistan main to ye din sirf hashtag he rah jae ga….
تعلیم کا مکمل طور پر بیڑہ غرک کردیا گیا پرائمری گورنمنٹ سکول ٹھیکے پر دے دئے گئے تمام گورنمنٹ تعلیمی اداروں کو تباہ کر دیا گیا ہے پرائیویٹ تعلیم بہت مہنگی کر دی گئی ہے عوام کے معاشی حلات ایسے نہیں کے پرائیویٹ سکول کالجز میں مکمل تعلم حاصل کر سکیں نواجوان تو پھر مزدوری ہی کر گا
— CH JUNAID NISAR (@CHJUNAIDNISAR) August 12, 2026
“Millions of educated and skilled young people have become disillusioned and left the country,” he said, linking the exodus to the lack of opportunities available to young people.
The PTI leader also criticised what he described as the failure to listen to young people or provide them with adequate space to express their views.
نوجوان کسی بھی قوم کا سب سے قیمتی سرمایہ ہوتے ہیں۔ افسوس کہ آج ہمارا تعلیم یافتہ اور ہنرمند نوجوان اپنے ہی ملک میں مواقع نہ ملنے کے باعث بیرونِ ملک مستقبل تلاش کرنے پر مجبور ہے۔ نوجوانوں کے لیے صرف تقریریں نہیں، تعلیم، روزگار، میرٹ اور باعزت مستقبل کی ضمانت چاہیے۔
— Ch Ahmed Raza Kallu (@ChAhmedRazaKal1) August 12, 2026
“Sadly, neither is the Pakistani youth being heard nor are they being allowed to speak,” he said.
His remarks came as Pakistan marked International Youth Day, observed annually on Aug 12 by the United Nations to highlight issues affecting young people and promote their participation in social, economic and political life.
Pakistan has one of the world’s youngest populations, with a significant proportion of its population below the age of 30.
The country’s large youth population is widely regarded as both a potential demographic dividend and a major policy challenge, depending on the availability of education, employment and skills.
The concerns raised by
Mr Elahi also come amid persistent debate over unemployment, rising living costs, limited employment opportunities and the migration of young Pakistanis abroad. The departure of skilled workers and professionals has increasingly become a subject of political and economic discussion, particularly as young people seek education, employment and improved living standards overseas.
For Pakistan, the challenge is not merely to create jobs but also to ensure that young people have access to quality education, market-oriented skills and opportunities for meaningful participation in public life.
Mr Elahi’s statement also carries a political dimension, coming from a senior PTI figure at a time when the party has repeatedly complained about restrictions on political activity and freedom of expression.
The former minister did not, however, propose specific measures in his message to address youth unemployment or the migration of skilled workers.
His comments primarily focused on the need to recognise the grievances of young Pakistanis and give them a greater voice in the country’s affairs.
