Gilgit-Baltistan Youth Policy
Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) like other regions of Pakistan is facing massive challenge of a growing population of youth and consequently to meet their needs. The Youth of GB presents a demographic window to reap its potentials and put Gilgit-Baltistan on a way to development and prosperity. In the absence of youth development frameworks and insensitivity to prioritize youth as a top policy agenda, might result into dimensionless youth dividend which will have devastating consequences on economic, social and political realms of the country. To channelize the potentials of youth across GB, the province needs an integrated public policy framework and systemic response. The enactment of 18th amendment to the Pakistani Constitution has encouraged the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan to formulate provincial youth policy.
To fulfill this need The Department of Tourism, Sports and Youth Affairs-The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan has started the consultative process for the formulation of GB youth policy with the technical assistance of Bargad-Organization for Youth Development. During the youth policy formulation process, an inclusive consultative process will be undertaken for mapping of GB youth issues. A total number of 28 consultations are planned which will cover all 22 thesils and seven districts of GB. The consultative sessions are planned with youth and multiple stakeholders related to youth development in the province. Apart from that, survey on youth issues, in-depth interviews, media networking and coverage, advocacy and lobby activities will be organized. A dedicated website and face group has also been launched on which process will be regularly updated. We will welcome youth and people of GB to share their views, feedback and comments on youth policy formulation process. The address of the website is www.gbyouthpolicy.pk and facebook group:
This consultative process would provide a scientific backgrounder to identify challenges to the GB issues and form the basis of the draft GB Youth Policy Document, which will be evolved and improvised in light of the input from stakeholders. After due procedural work the Draft will be adopted by Government of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The mandate of the GB Youth Policy is to create an enabling policy environment for economic, social and political empowerment of youth and clarify their rights, entitlements and responsibilities. The GB youth policy will address the needs and challenges of youth ageing between 15-35 years across the GB. Moreover, Youth belonging to GB but living outside of Gilgit-Baltistan will also be addressed. It will put especial emphasis on development of vulnerable youth groups and female youth. The policy would envision a promising framework for integrated youth development reforms and reaping youth potentials of the province. Tourism, Youth Affairs, Sports & Culture Department-Government of Gilgit-Baltistan shall serve as institutional home for the Policy. It is noteworthy to mention that the initiative is informed by an emerging need to combine youth work scattered over various sectors i.e. youth, labour, health, population and sports. Moreover, the policy will present short, medium and long-term action plans to address needs and situation of the youth. The Gilgit-Baltistan Youth Policy will provide tools for a comprehensive mapping of the youth work in line with annual and long-term developmental goals of the GB and scientifically decide upon the way ahead. The Government will implement such strategies with public-private partnership and collaboration and enhanced multi-sectoral ownership. A monitoring and evaluation plan will also be evolved by clarifying specific indicators to gauge success of the actions undertaken within framework of the policy. The essence will relate to practical approach for need assessment and implementation. The policy would also recommend institutional mechanism for governance of youth affairs spread over various sectors and departments. This will not only create communicative links among all work relating to youth, but would also be an instrument for better use of public funds.
