Recognising the Untapped Potential of Pakistan’s Youth
On August 12, 2011, the radical youth resource group, Blinck, collaborated with Karachi’s US Consulate to arrange Blinck International Youth Day in order to celebrate the vitality and enthusiasm of Pakistan’s youth. Sidra Iqbal, Founder and CEO of Blinck, remarked that Pakistan’s youth was symbolic of a surfeit of untapped potential, while the guest of honour, US Consul General William J. Martin, remarked that Pakistan’s youth were on the same level as those of developed countries.
The intellectually charged arena played host to a hundred youth activists exclusively selected to represent various genres of youth interest. The highlight of the event was the “Icons of Inspiration” panel discussion on the topic “Idealism+Energy+Action+Youth.” Panelists included former city mayor Mustafa Kamal, Emmy-Award-winning documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, badminton national champion Palwasha Bashir, prominent singer Komal Rizvi, the founding director of Navitus, Farhad Karamally, and renowned television artist Fahad Mustafa. They all shared the belief that Pakistan is at the lowest bar of self-esteem and if we become positive as a nation, then we would automatically bring about change for the better. Special guest Sara Tahir Khan added: “You have an opportunity now, put your heads together and think of something creative.” Sharmeen further advised, “If we want to live in Karachi, we’re going to have to make it the best damn city to live in!”
This article was originally published in the September 2011 issue of Newsline under the headline “Celebrating the Youth.”