Extremism in Pakistani Youth: A Social Policy Failure

Abstract

The concepts of social policies and welfare states have been limited to the contemporary western<br />civilization. Muslim nations have not been great examples of investing in the human resource.<br />The effects of social policies like free healthcare and competitive education system are directly<br />proportional to the level of extremism a country's youth reaches upon. States concerned on this<br />correlation understand the psychological and physiological needs of their citizens. Problem under<br />study is a lack of investment in human development in Muslim countries with Pakistan in focus,<br />and a psycho-religious affiliation of youth with ultra-orthodox extremism. To examine the issue<br />theoretically, we have used two theories: Religious pluralism to comprehend its various concepts<br />of harmony among world religions and subsequently their sects; and social constructivism to<br />connect its discursive formations with the secluded terminologies of pluralism. The purpose<br />was to produce a discourse analysis of societal harmony vis-à-vis religion and society. To make<br />the research methodology more reliable and authentic, data and incidents have been taken<br />from renowned published sources, e.g. journal articles mentioning the belief structures in the<br />Ulema (theology men) of Pakistan. It is a case study modeled on Pakistan's youth radicalization;<br />explanatory mode of research approach has been used. Pakistani forces have consistently fought<br />the Taliban and other extremist groups in a series of operations after 9'11, Zarb e Azb being the<br />most famous and successful one. A sizable chunk of the country's youth has been affected by<br />foreign funding of Madrassas; the level of radicalization varies. Government must fight at two<br />fronts: Provide basic needs to every citizen; and deradicalize the youth by investing more in the<br />ongoing rehabilitation centers or make new programs.