The recent democratic transformation in Azad Kashmir has come at the same time with new challenges and opportunities. In public opinion, They will face historic challenges of the previous governments of Azad Kashmir including, Bribery, corruption, and violation of merit are the state problems that are not solved but the only effective solution is to adopt those norms. And the bill to make permanent Ad-hoc employees approved by the assembly is also a big challenge. Although only government jobs are the source for youth resettlement in Azad Kashmir, the retention of all ad hoc employees by the previous government is a violation of the state’s merit as well as a huge burden on the exchequer. Not only that, if the draft of the old assembly is upheld, the present government will not be able to recruit a single employee, which will put a heavy burden on the members of the assembly and the public.
The story does not end here. What does the youth government bring for the youth? This is a big question. The federal government launched the Successful Youth Program and the Youth Council of Pakistan, which passed two badges, with Azad Kashmir represented in only one anonymous seat. Azad Kashmir’s employment quota in the federation is only 2%, which is like nothing and usually, mostly refugees get jobs. In addition, Azad Kashmir’s educational seats in Pakistani educational institutions are also very low. Will the current government be able to pay attention to these measures in the first two years or will the federal government be abolished by the time the state system is understood like previous governments?
At present, the selection of Youth Minister and Advisor will explain the direction of the government towards the youth. The previous government and especially the state president continued to exploit the youth to the best of their ability on different occasions through different tactics. Throughout history, elders and non-social figures have always been given these positions just for the sake of the flag or money. Former Youth Minister who was above the age of 60, Mr. Chaudhry Saeed, who was defeated by the incumbent President and former Prime Minister Barrister Sultan Mahmood in Mirpur and came up with a strong youth vote bank in Azad Kashmir. A large number of Azad Kashmir youth are associated with Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI). Will the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which is ostensibly a youth government, opportunities the youth or show the same flag as in the past?
Youth policy and the establishment of a youth board could be important steps for the current government. The Azad Kashmir government is a base camp of the Tehreek-e-Azadi Kashmir and the government interacts with the international community at various times to present the Kashmir issue. The previous government, especially Ex. Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan, on various occasions, made negative comments on the international community regarding the Kashmir issue, and Federal Govt. Policy. Will this government be able to merge the previous gap and provide representation opportunities to youth in different international forums, especially in the British Parliament and the United Nations. In addition to its internal state-level issues, the current government faces a major challenge in strengthening its ties with the federation and the international community.
Many of the youth of Azad Kashmir, who possess political and social skills, are representing Kashmir and Pakistan beyond the political parties in the federation and at the international level. Will the newly elected government break these traditions and give young people a chance at high positions based on their abilities and deeds, or will follow the footstep of the past give speeches based on elders, nepotism, and personal interests.? Young people are staring at the newly elected state government
