In the early period of history, when the institution of state was absent, tribes and communities were responsible for their own protection against any attack or invasion. Every member of a tribe would be well-armed not only to secure himself but also to defend his community in case of conflict. As a result, tribes would engage in warfare and bloodshed to resolve their differences.

If a member of a tribe was assassinated by the rival group, it was incumbent upon the family of the murdered one and his tribe to take revenge. It was a question of honour, and violence would be a part of the response. After the emergence of the institution of the state, the situation changed. Security was provided to tribes, which became united, ending mutual warfare and bloodshed.

In the light of this development, citizens of the state disarmed and only authorised individuals and institutions were allowed to carry arms. Any violation of the law was punished severely. Under this system, if a person was killed by his opponent, it was the responsibility of the state and not the family or tribe to pursue the case and punish the perpetrator.

As long as the state controlled all ways and means of violence and did not allow any group or organisation to use violence for its vested interests, the society remained peaceful. However, the situation deteriorated when the state weakened and consequently different groups and mafias seized power, using violence to further strengthen themselves.

Commenting on this situation, Thomas Aquinas, a theologian of medieval Europe pointed out that violence is the monopoly of the state. His version of the state was of medieval kingship when knights as professional warriors upheld its rule and power, crushing any rebellion against the authority of the state. In his book The Civilising Process, Norbert Elias further explained that the state subdued the aggressive nature of man and made attempts to pacify the society by using civilisational means. Societies changed their attitude as a result of education, art, literature and music, which influenced its sensibilities.

On one hand however, the monopoly of the state over violence ended the culture of warlords and united the society on the basis of mutual interest. But on the other hand, the state also became dangerous when it was captured by fanatics and extremists who used its violent institutions such as the army, police and secret agencies to eliminate their opponents and to establish their hegemony.

A recent example is of Pol Pot of Cambodia who after seizing political power adopted the policy of genocide in order to further his political ideology. Dictators and totalitarian rulers in the past used state violence to empower their rule and to terrorise people so that they would not raise a voice against them.

Keeping in view this historical perspective, when we study the Pakistani state and its role to monopolise violence, we find that it has failed in this attempt, and as a result, powerful groups and parties armed themselves against the law and used violence to accomplish their agenda. Sectarian, ethnic and criminal groups have free access to arms and ammunition. As violence is widespread in the society, armed groups are busy in extortion of traders and shopkeepers, or kidnap people for ransom and kill them in case of any defiance or resistance. The plague of target killing is prevalent and continues unchecked because of weakness of the state and its apparatus. In the presence of these armed groups, state institutions such as the army, police, rangers, judiciary and secret agencies are rendered helpless. When intellectuals and politicians discuss terrorism, violence and lawlessness, it seems that they have failed to understand the root cause of the problem.

History shows that the institution of the state has played an important role in maintaining peace, security and order for which it is necessary for the state not only to become stable and strong but also to be able to take stern action against all warlords, gangs and armed groups who challenge state authority.

At present, our society is confronted with criminal and violent activities of different religious, sectarian and ethnic groups without being able to crush their power. When violence is scattered in the society and state cannot control it, people feel insecure and lose faith in the state. They seek protection against mafias and gangs and live in a state of despondency and disillusionment.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, January 18th, 2015

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