YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT: A PERCEPTION ANALYSIS OF DISTRICT MANSEHRA

Abstract

Pakistan is blessed with young and energetic human resources falling under the age of 29. It is almost 64% of the current population. In a democratic regime, three tiers of governance system being implemented in Pakistan. At grass-root level various form of local government system were practiced mostly in LFO regime and first time it’s being implemented in a democratic regime in 2013. However, engagement of youth at gross-root could be initiated through local government. Hence, questions arise that ‘did LG system empower locality youth? What will be the perception of local voters, youth and habitants regarding performance of LG system? Therefore, the present research was conducted to find answers to these questions. The objective was to analyze the perception of voters regarding local government’s performance toward youth empowerment. The current study is descriptive and follows cross sectional design. It was conducted from 1st February, 2019 to 30th April, 2020 in the selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Method of research is mixed in nature; Qualitative and Quantitative Structured, pre-validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Four Union Councils were selected, including two village councils and two neighborhood councils. Individuals and voters (250) living in the selected UCs were approached using Simple Random Sampling. The data was analyzed and presented in descriptive form. Therefore, voters, residents, and habitants of District Mansehra were not satisfied with the local government’s performance with respect to youth empowerment. Hence, local government system under act 2013 did better than the local Government system under act 2001.