Parameters Promoting or Prohibiting Participation: A Case Study of Youth in Northern Pakistan

Abstract

This paper will explore how the concept of civil society is translated into practice in a specific geographical and social context by analysing responses from the primary sources in Pakistan’s four Northern Areas districts including Ghizer, Gilgit, Hunza-Nagar and Astore. The paper will shed light on perceptions of the local youth about the nature and direction of their society; dynamics of relations among different sectors of the society; limitations and opportunities the youth face; the pre-requisites to empower the youth; and finally measures for effective youth and society dynamics. A key question therefore is how meaningfully do the youth manage to interface with different facets/components of civil society? The paper concludes with a summary list of factors which facilitate or frustrate empowerment of youth and analyze how the youth in Gilgit-Baltistan are faring on these parameters, and, to what extent the youth are able to act on their own and at their own terms.