It often begins in small, familiar moments: a debate over a political clip in a university cafeteria, scrolling through social media forums at night and coming across controversial topics or an evening conversation where talk about prices, unemployment and uncertainty escalates into frustration. Politics is a very real part of the lives of Pakistani youth because it has shaped their present and will influence their future. Nonetheless, youth have been accused constantly of being politically disengaged. In a nation where approximately 64% of its population falls under the age of 30 years, it would seem hard to think that such a huge demographic was politically detached. What appears as disengagement is, in reality, political displacement: a growing distance between young people and political structures that often feel inaccessible, rigid and disconnected from the realities they experience daily.
For many young individuals, politics occupies a conflicted space: Despite being everywhere, it feels distant. It affects prices, jobs, education and opportunities but does not always feel close enough to invite any personal involvement. Mahad Jawad, a 27-year-old master’s student at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), reflects this distance. “In all honesty, my personal life is not bothered by politics, I don’t keep up with political discussions as such.” His response does not suggest ignorance. It shows disconnection. Politics, for many like him, exists as something happening around them, not something they feel part of.
Rising inflation, unemployment and uncertainty make politics impossible to ignore.
At the same time, this experience is not universal. Rising inflation, unemployment and uncertainty make politics impossible to ignore for many others. Emaan Shahid, a 21-year-old bachelor’s student in Psychology, describes politics as something that directly affects how people live. “It shows how our lives are affected by government decisions and the instability around us.” This contrast shows that young people are selectively engaged, depending on how directly decisions affect their lives.
However, political awareness does not always translate into active participation. According to DataReportal’s 2024 digital report, Pakistan has over 111 million internet users and nearly 72 million social media users, most of them are youths who consume and share their political views online. However, their participation in political systems through official means is minimal. Although many youths are involved in activities such as voting, political debates and campaigns online, they are still largely absent from policymaking and party leadership.
For others, the problem is that they do not believe in their ability to make a difference. Inaya Iman, a 21-year-old student of a bachelor’s in mass communication at NUST, clarifies this point clearly. “I don’t engage enough because in my opinion, it does not lead to any real change.” Her response reflects a broader sense of political inefficacy. When participation does not produce any outcomes, disengagement becomes less of a passive choice and more of a rational response.
Still, not all young people dismiss participation entirely. Some continue to believe that even small acts of engagement carry value. Amina Tahir, a 24-year-old Public Administration graduate from Rawalpindi views change as a gradual and consistent process rather than an immediate outcome. “One vote or action barely changes things overnight. Actual change happens when people stay consistent and apply pressure over time.” This understanding reflects political maturity but it also contributes to exhaustion. When change appears slow, uncertain and dependent on collective action, participation begins to feel emotionally draining rather than empowering.
A certain level of fatigue can also be linked to how politics is perceived in formal spaces. In Pakistan, politics is often perceived as favouring elites and family connections over merit. It has even been the subject of social narratives in which politics is considered corrupt and violent.
Beyond structural barriers, social and psychological pressures also shape disengagement. Political participation is often seen as risky, especially for young people dealing with family pressure, public judgment, and digital backlash. Continuous exposure to political division and instability creates emotional fatigue.
Emaan Nabeel, a 19-year-old Public Administration student describes this as a psychological barrier. “People talk about politics a lot, but getting involved is different and honestly a bit overwhelming”. Her statement shifts the conversation entirely. Youth disengagement is not always rooted in apathy but in hesitation shaped by distrust, pressure and uncertainty.
As a result, digital platforms have become the primary space for youth expression. Online spaces offer immediacy, accessibility and wider reach that formal political systems often fail to provide. Amina Tahir highlights this shift. “Formal politics is slow and hard to join, while speaking online feels fast, free and more honest.” However, digital participation has its limits. Online discussions rarely translate into institutional influence. Young people remain highly active in political conversations but largely absent from decision-making spaces.
At the centre of this disconnect lies trust. Ongoing political instability, broken promises and concerns over corruption have contributed to declining trust in political institutions. Mahad Jawad voices this concern clearly. “The political system would need a complete revamp to be trusted.”
The youth in Pakistan are not disconnected from politics; rather they are struggling within a system that restricts their access and undermines their influence. They are well-informed and vocal in debates but far removed from the institutions that make the decisions. What passes off as apathy is actually political alienation, a state where involvement takes place without any form of inclusion. Until the political process is made more open and receptive, youth participation will stay on the margins because the system has yet to accommodate them.
The writers are undergraduate students of mass communication at NUST with a keen interest in journalism, youth engagement and youth-related social issues in Pakistan. They can be contacted at [email protected]