{
  "id": 8610197,
  "title": "A small republic in every classroom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/a-small-republic-in-every-classroom",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T04:44:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2031270/a-small-republic-in-every-classroom"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan is a young nation, with over two-thirds of its population under the age of 30. This generation will undoubtedly shape the country, but they face a significant challenge. The constitution that exists on paper is different from the one that works in practice, and the distance between these two versions is what this generation must bridge. Growing up, the author witnessed martial law, and learned that power does not explain itself. Those who spoke out were transferred, while those who stayed silent were promoted, and judges who insisted on their independence were replaced. The author's generation learned to accommodate power, and their institutions followed suit. The courts developed different justifications for every situation: revolutionary legality in 1958, necessity in 1977, and validation in 2000. Decisions were made without consent, and this is the obstacle the next generation must overcome. The first step in this process is building character, rather than a movement. Character will resist the comfort of office and the undue influence of power. This character is developed through exposure to diverse experiences and ideas. The author argues that the university classroom is the ideal place for this development. Each discipline should hold debates on its own questions, with students learning to argue honestly and respectfully, even when they disagree. The election of office bearers, with fixed terms and real duties, should also be a part of the curriculum. This will teach students how to function in a democratic system, where losing an election can be a valuable learning experience. The dissenter should be protected, not the majority. This is how a democratic mind is formed. By arguing and engaging with different perspectives, students will begin to see the bigger picture and understand how their actions impact the country as a whole. This education should extend beyond the classroom, with students visiting different sectors and experiencing Pakistan and its challenges firsthand. A generation formed through this type of education will be well-rounded, effective, and capable of challenging unelected power. It will take time to see the results, but the foundation for change is being laid in the classrooms of today.",
  "summary": "PAKISTAN is extraordinarily young. Two in every three of its people are under 30. The question is not whether Generation Z will change Pakistan. Demographically, it will. The question is whether it will be ready, and little in the way this country is arranged suggests it will. Their task can be stated in a sentence. The Constitution of Pakistan on paper and the Constitution as it works on the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Pakistan's population is predominantly young, with over two-thirds under 30.",
    "The generation must bridge the gap between the constitution on paper and its practical application."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Education that fosters critical thinking, respectful debate, and democratic values in young people can help bridge the gap between Pakistan's constitutional ideals and practical realities.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "A small republic in every classroom",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/a-small-republic-in-every-classroom-8611320",
        "published": "2026-09-20T04:44:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}