In a recent op-ed that vanished almost as quickly as it appeared—sparking a frenzy of shares, memes, and debates across social media—a young criminology scholar declared “It is over” for Pakistan’s older generation in power. Zorain Nizamani’s piece painted a bleak picture: a disillusioned Gen Z tuning out boomer narratives, fleeing abroad amid economic despair, and rejecting forced patriotism in favor of Spotify playlists and silent exits. It’s a raw, viral cry that resonates with many frustrated youth, amplified by figures like PTI’s Shahbaz Gill and dissected in countless X threads. But while the generational rift is real, declaring defeat is premature. Far from over, this moment signals a beginning—a transcendental shift where experience merges with youthful vigor, forging a responsible, patriotic nation without the chaos of Sri Lankan protests or Bangladeshi uprisings.
Let’s not sugarcoat the challenges Nizamani highlights. Pakistan’s brain drain is hemorrhaging talent: official data shows over 2.9 million people left between 2022 and mid-2025, including 5,000 doctors and 11,000 engineers in 2025 alone, driven by economic instability and limited opportunities at home. Inflation hovers around 12.6%, youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, and restrictions on digital freedoms—like firewalls and freelancing regulations—fuel alienation. Gen Z’s demands for faster internet, affordable tech, and eased gig economy barriers clash with policies that seem designed to control rather than empower. As one X user quipped in a thread echoing Nizamani’s piece, “Gen Z wants untaxed smartphones; boomers want more rules.” It’s no wonder emigration spiked to 687,246 by November 2025, with many skilled professionals opting for “haqeeqi azadi” abroad.
Yet, this narrative of inevitable collapse ignores the sparks of progress igniting across Pakistan—often led by the very youth Nizamani claims are disengaged. Far from a “massive disconnect,” 2025 has been a banner year for youth-driven achievements that blend innovation with national pride. Pakistani students dominated global stages: clinching gold and silver at the Asian Science Camp in Thailand, securing top spots in the APAC Solution Challenge with AI tools, and breaking records in supercomputing for climate modeling. In conservation, youth-led efforts were spotlighted at the World Conservation Congress, showcasing initiatives in wildlife protection and sustainable tech. And culturally? The Voice of Youth National Award celebrated dozens of young trailblazers in arts, tech, and social impact.
Nowhere is this youthful momentum clearer than in Pakistan’s digital economy—a sector where Gen Z isn’t just complaining but building. IT exports shattered records in 2025, hitting $4.11 billion annually, with monthly highs like $386 million in October—a 17% year-on-year surge fueled by young coders and startups. Freelancing, often derided as unregulated chaos, has propelled Pakistan to the world’s third-largest hub, with earnings projected to top $1 billion and remittances exceeding $500 million this year. Contrary to claims of freelancing taxes being a boomer burden, rates start as low as 0.25%—a fraction that supports national revenue without stifling growth. These aren’t handouts; they’re hard-won victories by a generation wielding laptops as tools of empowerment, contributing to IT exports that now form a pillar of Pakistan’s economy.
