Publication details

• Monday | 28 Aug, 2023
• Policy Briefs/Papers
• 35

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Abstract

Pakistan has been in the grip of violent extremism since 1979 in general and 9/11 in particular. Not only is the nature of violence in Pakistan multifaceted, but it is multi-causal as well. This study aims to explore the links between state building, good governance, and violent extremism in Pakistan. It also discusses how factors such as the continuation of colonial political order, exclusionary state building, the lack of good governance, the utilisation of religion as a tool of legitimacy, and the effort to homogenise ethnically and sectionally diverse Pakistan through religion, have paved the way for violent extremism. The study argues that building the capacity of the state (so as to make it capable of providing public good and services to the common people), recognising and cherishing diversity, and building a consensus on the role of religion in politics can help Pakistan get rid of the scourge of violent extremism. Moreover, the provision of public services along with public accountability provides a more robust mechanism for legitimacy. Stressing the need for inclusive state building, the study calls for considering everyone as equal citizen of the state

By: Dr Zahid Ullah