Youth and Political Movements in Pakistan: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives

Abstract

The history of the involvement of youth in the political campaigns in Pakistan is discussed in this paper, starting with the student revolution of 1968, the Lawyers Movement (2007), and the current digital-era activism by the PTI and the 2020s campaign and movement. The analysis of the strategies, patterns of mobilization, and the influence of young people on political expression and election is conducted using archival sources, media, and social media texts using a historical comparative approach and a qualitative methodology. The results indicate that whereas in the early activism efforts were largely based on physical mobilization and ideological backing, new youth activism is increasingly turning to digital platforms to undertake political work, challenge the narrative, and shape policy. Although there is a democratizing potential of social media, challenges such as polarization, misinformation, and unequal participation are also mentioned in the study. This study combines historical continuity with the current trends, and thus, the study will be useful not only to scholars interested in youth political participation in developing democracies but also to policy makers, educators and other stakeholders in civil society who would want to ensure that the youth participate in the development process positively.