External Seminars
Promoting Narratives of Diversity, Inclusion, and Peace among Youth"
Serena Hotel, Quetta
Date: 14-15 March, 2023
Dr. Siraj Bashir, Director Research of BTTN, participated in a Two-day consultation at Serena Hotel, Quetta, as a speaker. The event was organized by Pak institute of peacebuilding Islamabad on promoting narrative of diversity, inclusion, peace among youth on March 14-15, 2023.
In his address, he said, YOUTHS is known as the most precious human resource. They are the primary beneficiaries of national development regardless of the outcomes because their productivity, societal outlook and engagement show what a nation must accomplish. The youth are thought of as a society’s and a nation’s destiny. Pakistan has one of the largest young populations in the globe, with more than 64% of the population under 30. If we are able to take advantage of it, Pakistan could benefit most from it.
50% of Balochistan youths are illiterate, the second-highest number in Pakistan after FATA. The province has the highest percentage of illiterate young males in the country, at about 40%, which is even more alarming. However, 62.5% of young women in Balochistan lack basic literacy skills, which is the second-highest percentage in the country. How can we accomplish the coveted objectives of societal harmony, economic prosperity, political stability and peace when half of the youth in our nation are stumbling around in the darkness of ignorance and illiteracy?
However, the government needs to alter its strategy in order to address the province’s issues, lessen its reliance on the sardars, offer politics a chance and permit young people to express themselves without restraint. Instead of teaching students to memorize information and learn by rote, the curriculum should emphasize the development of logical and critical thinking. If we fail to develop the right strategies and policies today to meaningfully engage the youth in the province, provide quality education and secure future socio-economic development, the youth we have will be at risk of becoming marginalized, intolerant, vulnerable to social ills and unable to contribute towards the development.
One-Day Seminar
"Creating Hope in Balochistan: Sub-Nationalism, Development, Truth, and Reconciliation"
University of Balochistan, Quetta
Date: 18 March, 2023
Dr. Siraj Bashir, Director Research of BTTN, participated in a one-day national seminar at University of Balochistan, as a speaker. The conference was jointly organized by the University of Balochistan, and the Government of Balochistan on Creating Hope in Balochistan: Sub-Nationalism, Development, Truth, and Reconciliation on March 18, 2023. The former chief, Mister Dr. Malik Baloch, was the chief guest.
In his address, he said, Balochistan has been conflictual province since 1947. This is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of territory, covering 40 percent of its land and the percentage of Pakistan’s Population of which it constitutes only 5 percent.
Balochistan’s society, which encompasses all ethnic groups, is founded on a feudal and tribal system that is centered on the institution of the sardar. (tribal chief). Most of the people in Balochistan are tribal and migratory. It is divided up into numerous tribes and subtribes, each of which has its own traditions and practices. They exhibit total obedience to sardars while maintaining their autonomy and avoiding outside influence. Tribal conflicts are very frequent and frequently go on for centuries without being settled.
In order to involve Baloch parties and leaders in developing a consensus on how violence and insecurity can be reduced in Balochistan, political parties should start a discussion on various aspects of the conflict there both inside and outside of the parliament. Balochistan’s natives need to be professionally and personally developed by the government if the country is to support labor-intensive businesses. The best course of action is for authority to be given to the legitimate representative of the people.
In order to prepare people as skilled workers and create a workforce that could be used in current and future development projects as well as various industries in the province, the Balochistan government should establish polytechnic schools. In addition to giving young people employment chances, this will allay Baloch fears about “outsiders” stealing their resources and rights.
