Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Kultur-, Sozial- und Bildungswissenschaftliche Fakultät - Institut für Asien- und Afrikawissenschaften

An increasing involvement by the young-educated members of a society can transform the social fabric of their communities. The political conscientization of youth, a present and growing phenomenon in the rural Pashtun belt of Balochistan, can be witnessed through youth’s increasing participation in socio-political activities. In focusing on Pishin, Balochistan, the community affairs are predominantly operated through committees and Anjumans for specific policy areas. They are either formed on ad hoc basis - in the case of welfare committees for a specific task (infrastructure reconstruction, calamities, security incidents - formation of laṣhkers), or on permanent basis - in the case of ṡanḍa/mohala (neighborhood), entertainment and social welfare committees. The latter are primarily led by youth, usually not linked with civil society associations in the conventional sense. These permanent bodies, made up of volunteers, work on diverse issues such as sports, financial or income-support assistance to the poor, non-political gatherings on issues such as natural calamities (rains, floods, etc.) and other social issues.

This research is an attempt to investigate the past fifteen-years of community affairs transition process(es). It explores the direct cause-effect relationship between the changing dynamics in community affairs, understandings of citizen-based political participation and increased numbers of youth receiving secondary and tertiary education from urban centers within as well as outside of Balochistan.

Mr. Tareen is a PhD student of South Asian and Area Studies at the Humboldt University Berlin. He holds Bachelor’s degree in History from Government College University Lahore and Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt. He has been working as a researcher, project manager and research analyst with different organizations in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Czechia and Germany.