A scathing opinion piece by a young Pakistani scholar, yanked from a leading newspaper within hours of publication, has exploded across social media, fueling outrage over censorship and generational discontent. The essay, titled "It Is Over," appeared briefly on The Express Tribune's website on January 1 before disappearing amid suspicions of military pressure. Written by Zorain Nizamani—a PhD criminology student in the U.S. and son of actors Behroze Sabzwari and Noman Habib—it lays bare the frustrations of Pakistan's youth.

Nizamani argues that Gen Z Pakistanis, connected via smartphones despite spotty education, have pierced the veil of state propaganda. Key grievances include rampant 31% youth unemployment, a mass exodus of over 16,000 skilled workers in two years, and blocked access to cheap tech amid tax hikes and internet curbs. "They see through the facade and choose quiet exits over futile fights," he writes, drawing parallels to youth-led upheavals in Bangladesh and Nepal.

The swift removal backfired spectacularly. Screenshots flooded X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, and PTI-linked channels, amassing millions of views. PTI's overseas wing slammed it as evidence that "jobs and justice trump enforced loyalty." Lawyer Mehlaqa Samdani decried "live censorship," while politician Moonis Elahi called it a harsh wake-up for the establishment.

This incident signals deeper tides. Like Bangladesh's student uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina, Pakistan's digital natives are quietly rejecting elite control. With Gen Alpha already questioning norms, analysts warn of accelerating brain drain unless economic woes ease. Nizamani's piece, though erased officially, underscores a truth: in the social media age, silencing youth only amplifies their voice.