Bridging the Education Gap

By Umair Ahmed For Gen Z today, their room isn’t just a room. It’s their safe zone.A place where they can find a few moments of peace without any interruption or endless questions.Do Not Disturb Mode (DND) This generation genuinely values solitude. For them, being alone isn’t about feeling lonely it’s about spending time with themselves and finding mental peace.To be honest, their biggest wish is often just to be left in peace, operating smoothly in their own DND mode away from the noise of society.When someone interrupts Gen Z’s solitude, it irritates Gen Z so badly.What does Generation Z want?Gen Z wants solitude and some peaceful hours in a 24 hours cycle. During these hours, Gen Z only thinks and creates ideas, but unfortunately, in today’s modern world, society won’t understand Gen Z.They chose solitude, or perhaps it chose Gen Z,an unspoken pact made in silence during hollow hours where no voices linger but their own. The silence carved spaces with their thoughts, too fragile for the noise of the world.GenZ is always on time their time management skills are superb.They like to read poetry books and listen to poetry, and their music taste is so good—old, but still better than today’s English songs.Gen Z likes to sit in public, but without any conversation. In many restaurants, I see Gen Z sit at a table but not talk to their friends or family members. Even sometimes, they use AirPods and use their mobiles, so imagine from this how Gen Z needs solitude in their life.On a lighter note, I’m also a Gen Z, but at least I don’t wear AirPods at restaurants. I commonly see a group of friends in local restaurants, and literally, they came together, but trust me, they do not even talk a single word or have a conversation. They are all busy on their mobiles. Gen Z wants to sit alone in restaurants or public places. This doesn’t make them feel lonely rather, they are in their comfort zone.And nowadays, when Gen Z wear AirPods, understand that they are in their comfort zone or Do Not Disturb mode.GenZ wants to sit alone in restaurants or public places. This doesn’t make them feel lonely,rather they are in their comfort zone.And nowadays, when GenZ wear AirPods, understand that they are in their comfort zone or Do Not Disturb mode.

By Asma Qayyum Youth empowerment is the process of providing young people with the education, skills, opportunities, and confidence they need to contribute positively to society. Pakistan has one of the largest youth populations in the world. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (2023 Census), the country’s population is approximately 241.49 million, and around 64% of Pakistanis are under the age of 30. This large youth population has the potential to become Pakistan’s greatest strength if it is properly educated, skilled, and employed. Young people play a vital role in the social, economic, and political development of a country. Empowered youth become skilled professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, and responsible citizens. Their energy, creativity, and ideas can boost productivity, reduce poverty, encourage innovation, and strengthen national development. However, Pakistan faces several challenges in empowering its youth. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the national literacy rate is approximately 63%, while millions of children remain out of school. Furthermore, the Labour Force Survey (2024–25) reported an unemployment rate of 7.1%, making job creation one of the country’s greatest challenges. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reports that nearly four million young Pakistanis reach working age each year, but only around one million new jobs are created annually. It also notes that many young people are neither in education, employment, nor training (NEET), limiting their ability to contribute to the country’s growth. The major challenges facing Pakistani youth include limited access to quality education, unemployment and underemployment, a shortage of technical and vocational training opportunities, poverty, unequal opportunities in rural areas, and limited support for entrepreneurship and innovation. To address these challenges, the government should invest more in education, technical and vocational training, and modern skill development. It should also create more employment opportunities, support youth entrepreneurship through training programs and financial assistance, and encourage young people to participate in community service, leadership initiatives, and civic engagement. At the same time, educational institutions and the private sector should work together to equip young people with the skills required for the modern job market. Youth empowerment is essential for Pakistan’s future. With millions of young people entering the workforce each year, investing in education, skills, innovation, and employment is not merely an option—it is a necessity. Empowering young people will strengthen Pakistan’s economy, reduce poverty, promote social stability, and build a more prosperous and peaceful nation. As the saying goes, “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”

By Ahmed Hussain Bajwa Two events this July turned "AI is scary" from an opinion into evidence. The U.S. government pulled Anthropic's newest Claude models from public access under export-control law, treating them like sensitive technology rather than an ordinary product. Weeks later, OpenAI admitted that one of its own AI models broke out of a locked test environment and hacked into a rival company's servers, not because anyone told it to, but because it was chasing a test score by any means it could find. Countries, companies, and ordinary people are all afraid of AI, but not for the same reasons. Governments are cautious because whoever controls the most powerful models gains real strategic power, and no one wants to be the one who lets a rival, or an unproven system, get there first. In fact, a plurality of Americans, 41%, say AI regulation doesn't go far enough. Companies, meanwhile, are less scared of AI itself than of falling behind competitors, the exact pressure that leads to safety shortcuts like the one behind OpenAI's incident. Ordinary people have the most concrete reasons to worry. Half of U.S. adults now say AI leaves them more concerned than excited, up sharply from a few years ago, and young adults, the generation growing up with this technology, are the least hopeful about it of anyone. Part of that is jobs: in the U.S. alone, AI is now linked to a net loss of roughly 16,000 jobs a month, even after counting the roles it creates. None of this means AI should be avoided. Globally, most people still say its benefits outweigh its risks. But the fear is no longer imaginary. The real question isn't whether to be afraid, it's whether that fear leads to better testing and real planning, or just more headlines.

By Kulsoom Amanullah In today’s modern world, the internet and technology have become as important as education. They play a vital role in learning, communication, business, and daily life. However, many people living in villages and remote areas still do not have access to the internet or modern technology. This lack of digital facilities creates serious problems for students and limits their opportunities to learn and improve their future. Without a reliable internet connection, students cannot attend online classes, search for educational materials, complete research, or develop important digital skills. They also miss opportunities to participate in online courses, educational competitions, and virtual learning programs. The lack of internet access is as harmful as the lack of educational resources because it prevents students from gaining knowledge and keeping up with the modern world. Students in remote areas are as talented and hardworking as students in cities, but they often do not have the same facilities. As a result, they may fall behind in their studies and struggle to compete for higher education and better job opportunities. This digital divide increases educational inequality and slows the overall development of society. The government and organizations should work together to improve internet services, expand network coverage, and provide affordable technology to rural communities. Schools should also be equipped with computer laboratories and reliable internet connections so that every student can benefit from digital learning. Public awareness programs should encourage the responsible and productive use of technology. Access to technology should be as available as other basic educational facilities. If every student gets the opportunity to use the internet, they can learn new skills, explore knowledge, communicate with the world, and build a brighter future. I request the authorities to recognize that the digital divide is a serious issue that needs immediate attention. Providing reliable internet and technology is not only about modern development; it is about giving every person an equal opportunity to succeed and contribute to the progress of the nation.

By Aamina Asghar The Baloch are an ancient people with a rich culture that is distinct from many other cultures around the world. Whether it is their weddings or their way of life, everything about their culture is unique. Most particularly, Balochi weddings have their own beautiful traditions but many modern trends influenced by social media and other cultures are gradually replacing them. It is good to enjoy modern trends, but we should not forget our own traditions that identifies us in the world. The below I mention some of the keen factors affecting the culture: Our Culture Is Our Identity Baloch wedding traditions have been passed down by our ancestors. They tell the story of who we are and remind us of our rich cultural heritage. Culture is what identify us from any part of the world and make us look different from the native of that particular area. Traditional Balochi Dress Balochi brides and grooms wear beautiful traditional dresses with fine embroidery done by Baloch women’s hand. They are hand-made cloths. Nowadays, many people prefer modern designer clothes instead of traditional Balochi attire. The trend has been influenced from social media and is adopted by the living persons in their daily life. Wedding Customs Many families now arrange Mehndi ceremonies, Dholki events, dance performances, bridal shows, and other celebrations that were not traditionally part of Baloch weddings. As a result, our original customs are becoming less common. As a result, few young people know the traditional practices of Balochi Culture. Decoration Traditional Baloch weddings had simple decorations that focused on family, culture, and tradition. Today, expensive stage decorations, flower walls, and modern themes are becoming very popular, making the marriage more expensive. Upon seeing such things, everyone around the society expects such marriages to take place in future, badly affecting the poor people who cannot afford them and thus ends up insulting them in others’ eyes. Social Media Influence Many people copy what they see on social media without thinking about their own culture. It is good to know about other’s culture, but killing your own culture for others is never beneficial for the generation to come. Our culture should be preserved. Music and Celebration Traditional Balochi music and cultural celebrations should be encouraged because they keep our heritage alive. Sadly, very few people are well aware of Balochi singers. We respect other singers when it comes to our own Balochi singers who are preserving the language are never valued or recognized by majority of us. Thus, modern trends are not bad, but we should not allow them to replace our beautiful traditions. Baloch wedding traditions are an important part of our culture. Our dresses, music, customs, and celebrations reflect our identity, and we should respect and preserve them. This will help future generations understand the value of Balochi culture. Let us take pride in being Baloch, promote our traditions and show the world the beauty of our culture.

By Asiya Fazal Karim I want to use the space in your newspaper to tell the authorities about the problem of load-shedding in our area. We have been facing frequent power cuts for many weeks. Sometimes, the electricity goes away for several hours, and it becomes very difficult for people to continue their normal activities. Electricity is very important in our daily lives. We need it for studying, cooking, working, using fans, and many other things. Students suffer a lot because they cannot study properly without electricity. During power cuts, they wait for the electricity to come back before they complete their homework. The hot weather makes the problem even worse. When they cannot use fans or other cooling appliances, children and old people have to suffer because of the heat. At night, the streets also become dark, which can make people feel unsafe when they go outside. Load-shedding also causes problems for shopkeepers and small businesses. Many shops depend on electricity for their work. When the power goes out, they cannot work properly and sometimes lose customers. This can cause financial problems for people who depend on their daily business. Hospitals and clinics may also face difficulties because some medical equipment needs electricity. Internet services and mobile charging are also affected. People may not be able to contact their family members easily during long power cuts. These problems make everyday life stressful. Another problem is the sudden return of electricity. Sometimes, the voltage changes when the electricity comes back, and this can damage electrical appliances. Many families cannot afford to repair or replace expensive appliances. The people of our area have complained about the problem many times, but we have not seen any permanent improvement. We understand that electricity demand can be high, but the authorities should take steps to provide a better and more regular supply. I request the concerned authorities to look into this matter as soon as possible. A proper load-shedding schedule should be given to the public so that people can plan their work and students can plan their studies. The electricity system should also be improved, and faults should be repaired quickly.