Quetta: In a province where decades of neglect, unemployment, and social barriers have long limited opportunities for young people, a quiet transformation is underway. The Balochistan Youth Socio-Economic Development Program (BYSEDP), launched under the province’s Youth Policy, is emerging as one of the most comprehensive youth empowerment initiatives in the region’s history offering skills, guidance, and a renewed sense of purpose to thousands of young men and women.
Balochistan Youth Policy in Action
Formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti on May 29, 2025, the program marks a determined effort by the provincial government to translate policy into action. The initiative took a major step forward with the establishment of the Balochistan Youth Resource Center (BYRC) in Quetta, inaugurated by Advisor to the Chief Minister for Youth Affairs, Meena Majid, on July 22, 2025.
The center has since become a hub for training, mentorship, and opportunity a place where Balochistan youth can connect their ambitions with real pathways for growth. Through targeted training in civic education, employability, entrepreneurship, and leadership, BYSEDP seeks to transform Balochistan’s youth bulge nearly 60 per cent of the population into a catalyst for development and social progress.
“Our youth are the most valuable asset of this province and of Pakistan,” Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti remarked during the program’s launch. “This policy ensures transparency, fairness, and equal access to opportunities. We are investing in skills and confidence so that our young generation can take charge of their own future.”
A Pathway to Opportunity for Balochistan Youth
The program’s design reflects a deliberate attempt to address the province’s most pressing youth-related challenges: lack of employable skills, limited access to education, and weak institutional support. Seven major components form the backbone of the initiative from civic education and business development to exposure visits and institutional strengthening.
Under the Civic Education for Social Empowerment component, more than 10,000 young people have participated in interactive sessions on peacebuilding, responsible citizenship, and community participation. The Employability Skills Program trains participants in communication, management, and leadership preparing them for modern job markets. Meanwhile, the Entrepreneurship Development Program fosters innovation and self-employment through hands-on business training, benefiting over 10,500 youth across the province.
Complementing these are the Leadership Development, Capacity Building, and Exposure Visit Programs, which provide opportunities for Balochistan youth to engage with diverse communities across Pakistan, promoting understanding and national harmony.
“This is one of the top priorities of the provincial government,” said Meena Majid Baloch, Advisor to the Chief Minister. “Through this program, around 30,000 young people will receive technical training and capacity-building support. The Youth Resource Center in Quetta stands as a permanent platform for learning, innovation, and guidance.”
From Policy to Practice
Officials say the policy is now moving beyond rhetoric. “The Youth Policy is being implemented through structured, practical initiatives,” said Secretary Youth Affairs, Durra Dashti. “Our focus is on measurable outcomes ensuring that internships, entrepreneurship programs, and training opportunities reach every district.”
Director Youth Affairs, Ilyas Shad, added that the initiative is expanding rapidly. “We are taking these trainings to schools, colleges, and universities,” he said. “The establishment of the Youth Resource Center has given young people a dedicated space for information, mentoring, and job facilitation. We encourage Balochistan youth to take full advantage of what’s being offered.”
Since its inception, the program has trained more than 32,000 young people in civic education, leadership, and digital awareness. It has expanded from Quetta to Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Chaman, Loralai, Zhob, and several other districts, ensuring outreach beyond urban centers. The phased rollout begins with schools, extends to colleges, and is now reaching universities.
Building Peace Through Empowerment
Beyond employment and education, the program carries a deeper purpose fostering peace and social cohesion. Officials argue that when youth are excluded, they become more vulnerable to crime, drug abuse, and extremism. BYSEDP, they believe, is a preventive response offering purpose, dignity, and inclusion.
Its approach is also distinctly inclusive, ensuring that young women, differently-abled individuals, and marginalized groups are represented. The emphasis on civic values and social engagement aims to rebuild trust between the state and the youth, creating a generation that sees itself as an integral part of national progress.
“This program is not only about skills; it is about identity and confidence,” said a participant from Zhob who attended a leadership session. “For the first time, I feel that my province is investing in me.”
A Generation on the Rise
As the Balochistan Youth Socio-Economic Development Program moves into its next phase, its impact continues to grow. From classrooms in Quetta to community halls in Loralai, the initiative is shaping a narrative of empowerment and inclusion that once seemed out of reach.
For the provincial government, it is both a policy and a promise that Balochistan youth will no longer be left behind in the country’s development story.
“The future of Balochistan lies in the hands of its youth,” Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti affirmed. “Through education, skills, and opportunity, we are preparing them not just for jobs but for leadership.”
With every training session, every new enterprise, and every empowered voice, Balochistan youth are quietly redefining the province’s future from the margins of opportunity to the center of progress.
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