Pakistan Gen Z Uprising: From Silent Discontent to a Viral Manifesto
In the complex and often turbulent political landscape of Pakistan, a new force is emerging—one that refuses to be placated by empty slogans or silenced by fear. At the heart of this seismic shift is a simple, powerful phrase: “It is over.” These words, penned by Pakistani PhD student Zorain Nizamani, have become a rallying cry for a generation that has seen through the façade and is demanding a new future .
The subsequent takedown of Nizamani’s article from a major Pakistani publication, the Express Tribune, didn’t extinguish the conversation; it poured gasoline on it. This act of censorship has now become a defining moment, exposing the raw nerve of a Pakistan Gen Z uprising that has been quietly building for years. This isn’t just about one article; it’s about the collective voice of a generation coming of age in a country they feel has failed them.
Table of Contents
- Who is Zorain Nizamani, and What Did He Say?
- Why Was “It Is Over” Censored?
- The Pakistan Gen Z Uprising: Beyond a Single Article
- The Politics of Silence in Pakistan
- What Does the Future Hold for Pakistan?
- Conclusion
- Sources
Who is Zorain Nizamani, and What Did He Say?
Zorain Nizamani, a Pakistani scholar pursuing his PhD in Criminology in the United States, is not a career politician or a veteran journalist. He is, in many ways, a representative voice of his generation—educated, globally aware, and deeply frustrated with the entrenched power structures at home . His op-ed, titled “It Is Over,” was a direct and unflinching critique of Pakistan’s ruling establishment, which he argues has long relied on imposed patriotism to distract from its failures in governance, justice, and economic opportunity .
Nizamani’s core argument was that Gen Z, having grown up with the internet and global perspectives, can no longer be fooled. They see the disconnect between nationalistic rhetoric and the harsh realities of daily life: unemployment, inflation, and a justice system that often protects the powerful. His message was clear: the old playbook no longer works. This generation is not asking for permission to be heard; they are simply declaring that the current system’s time is up .
Why Was “It Is Over” Censored?
The Express Tribune’s decision to remove the article shortly after its publication speaks volumes about the pressures faced by the media in Pakistan. While the exact reason for the takedown remains officially unconfirmed, it fits a well-documented pattern of censorship and self-censorship .
In Pakistan, journalism operates under significant constraints. The military and other powerful institutions are considered “off-limits” for critical reporting, leading many journalists to practice self-censorship to avoid professional or personal repercussions . The removal of Nizamani’s piece, which directly challenged the very “establishment,” is a textbook example of this dynamic. Ironically, the act of silencing the article made it far more powerful, as it was widely shared across social media, reaching a far larger audience than it ever could have on the newspaper’s website—a phenomenon often described as the Streisand effect .
The Pakistan Gen Z Uprising: Beyond a Single Article
The resonance of “It Is Over” is not an isolated incident. It is a symptom of a much broader and more profound wave of youth-led dissent across the country. In late 2025, for instance, Gen Z-led protests have erupted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) over issues like fee hikes, poor university facilities, and military overreach [[11], [13]]. These protests are notable for their directness and their willingness to challenge authority in a way that was previously uncommon.
This generation’s activism is characterized by a unique blend of digital savviness and a deep sense of moral clarity. They are not loyal to old political parties or dynastic figures. Instead, they are focused on tangible outcomes: jobs, justice, and a functioning state that serves its citizens, not its elite. Their disillusionment isn’t apathy; it’s a form of political energy that is finding new and increasingly vocal outlets, from social media campaigns to street protests .
The Politics of Silence in Pakistan
The censorship of Nizamani’s article is a stark reminder of the challenges to free speech in Pakistan. A 2024 report by Human Rights Watch noted that “contemporary Pakistani laws combined with military and administrative aggression toward journalists have created a climate of self-censorship” . This environment stifles critical discourse and prevents the airing of legitimate public grievances.
By trying to erase a powerful piece of writing, the establishment has inadvertently validated its central thesis: that the system is more interested in maintaining control than in engaging in an honest dialogue with its youngest citizens. This only deepens the chasm of trust between the state and the youth, fueling the very Pakistan Gen Z uprising it seeks to suppress. The attempt to control the narrative is backfiring spectacularly, as Gen Z has proven adept at creating and sharing its own narratives outside of traditional, controlled media channels.
What Does the Future Hold for Pakistan?
The future of Pakistan may well be written by its Gen Z. They are the largest demographic cohort in the country’s history, and their collective power is only beginning to be realized. Their demands are not for a minor course correction but for a fundamental reimagining of the social contract.
- They demand economic justice: An end to nepotism and a system that offers merit-based opportunities.
- They demand political transparency: A move away from opaque power structures and towards accountable governance.
- They demand authentic patriotism: A love for their country that is not forced but earned through its actions and treatment of its citizens.
The establishment can continue to try to silence these voices, but as the case of “It Is Over” demonstrates, that strategy is increasingly futile. The genie is out of the bottle.
Conclusion
Zorain Nizamani’s censored article, “It Is Over,” is far more than a piece of writing; it is a cultural and political inflection point. It has given a name and a voice to the simmering discontent of Pakistan’s Gen Z, a generation that is no longer willing to accept the hollow promises of the past. The Pakistan Gen Z uprising is not a future possibility—it is a present reality. How the country’s leadership chooses to respond—to engage or to repress—will determine its trajectory for decades to come. One thing is certain: for this generation, silence is no longer an option. To understand more about the dynamics of youth in politics, see our deep dive on [INTERNAL_LINK:youth-political-movements-in-asia].
Sources
[1] Times of India. “Who Is Zorain Nizamani? Pakistan Gen Z’s Deleted Op-Ed”
[2] Dawn. “‘It is over’: Pakistani op-ed on Gen Z discontent taken down”
[5] The Wire. “It’s Over: Why a Gen Z essay that was removed went viral in”
[7] News18. “Pakistan News: ‘It Is Over’: Why A Deleted Op-Ed By Gen Z”
[10] The Friday Times. “Despite domestic turmoil, Pakistan’s Gen-Z chose to stay”
[11] The Economic Times. “Gen Z protests rock Pakistan occupied Kashmir”
[13] OpIndia. “Gen-Z Revolution Ignites: From Nepal to Pakistan, Youth”
[16] Al Jazeera. “Silencing an article in Pakistan makes it louder”
[20] Committee to Protect Journalists. “Self-censorship in Pakistani media”
[22] The Quint. “‘It Is Over’: Why this censored op-ed by a PhD scholar”
[24] Human Rights Watch. “Censorship in Pakistan”