Shangla’s youth forge a new path by demanding accountability and justice

The recent protest of Shangla’s youth outside the District Headquarters Hospital was not just an outburst of anger over the poor performance of staff; it was a loud and clear message that this generation will no longer tolerate neglect and mismanagement. The pressure they created forced the MS to face the media and offer explanations. For a district long ignored by politicians and crippled by corruption, this was a remarkable moment. It showed that the young people of Shangla are not merely spectators in their own misfortune—they are active agents of accountability.

Shangla’s story is one of hardship. The district has been left behind in almost every sector. Schools are few, and girls’ education is in a miserable state. Hospitals lack basic facilities, leaving poor families helpless in times of illness. Roads remain broken or unbuilt, despite funds being sanctioned. Poverty has driven thousands of men into coal mines, where they work in life-threatening conditions. Each month, the arrival of a miner’s dead body has become a painful reminder of the cost of survival. For decades, those in power—politicians in alliance with contractors and parts of the bureaucracy—have misappropriated funds and betrayed the people’s trust.

In this suffocating environment, the youth of Shangla have emerged as a breath of fresh air. Unlike traditional politics, their movement is apolitical and based on principles. They have formed an organised body with a core cabinet and elected representatives stretching from village councils to the district level. What makes this effort extraordinary is the transparency with which they have conducted their internal elections—something even established political parties often fail to do. Most of the district’s students have joined the organisation, giving it energy, credibility, and intellectual strength. Today, this group is respected across Shangla, not because of slogans, but because of its work.

These young men and women are not restricting themselves to protests alone. They are using the Right to Information law, a constitutional obligation, to seek details about government schemes. With documents in hand, they have been exposing corruption in development projects. By visiting different departments, they are uncovering how funds meant for roads, schools, and hospitals vanish before reaching the people. In doing so, they are not only holding officials accountable but also educating the public about their rights.

History offers countless examples of how youth have shaped the destiny of nations. The Pakistan Movement succeeded in large part because students carried the message of freedom to every corner of the subcontinent. In South Africa, it was the youth who confronted apartheid with courage. Across Europe and Asia, student movements have toppled dictatorships and opened the door to democracy. In each case, young people—armed not with wealth or power but with passion and determination—rewrote history. Shangla’s youth stand today at a similar crossroad.

The road ahead is not without obstacles. They face resistance from those who have benefited from corruption for years. They lack resources and political backing. Yet, they have one powerful tool on their side: the trust of the people. As long as they maintain their unity, honesty, and independence from political parties, they can push Shangla towards a future where education, health, and dignity are not privileges but basic rights.

For too long, Shangla has been a story of poverty, corruption, and hopelessness. But today, its youth are writing a new chapter. They are showing courage, discipline, and vision. They are proving that even in the most neglected corners of our country, change is possible when the young rise with conviction. The people of Shangla, who have buried too many miners, waited too long for roads, and begged too often for schools, finally have a ray of hope. And that hope lies in the determined hands of their youth—the true guardians of tomorrow.