The State Is for the People, Not the People for the State
In a democratic society, the state is a servant, not a master. Its legitimacy stems from its ability to safeguard the welfare, dignity, and rights of its citizens. Yet, in Pakistan, this foundational principle is frequently inverted. Bureaucratic excess, authoritarian tendencies, and elite-centric governance have led to a situation where the people are often seen as tools to sustain the state, rather than beneficiaries of its existence. This essay argues that for Pakistan to progress, it must reorient itself toward a citizen-centric model of governance by reinforcing constitutionalism, empowering civic participation, and ensuring human security over state preservation.
Theoretical Foundation: State as a Social Contract The modern notion of the state is deeply rooted in the social contract theories of Enlightenment thinkers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Locke, and Thomas Hobbes. These philosophers posited that the legitimacy of the state stems from a mutual agreement among individuals to surrender certain freedoms in exchange for collective protection and the preservation of fundamental rights. The state, under this contract, is not an autonomous force but a representative entity charged with safeguarding life, liberty, and property. Its authority is derived from the consent of the governed. Therefore, the state exists to serve the people and uphold their collective interests—not to dominate them or function as a coercive apparatus to enforce blind loyalty or fear.
Pakistan’s Inverted Priorities: A Historical Perspective Pakistan's post-independence trajectory reflects a persistent imbalance in state priorities, where national security has consistently trumped human development. From the early years of military interventions in politics to the persistent expansion of intelligence and defense budgets, the emphasis has been on preserving state integrity rather than uplifting the populace. The civil-military imbalance has diluted the authority of elected representatives and marginalized democratic discourse. Furthermore, excessive centralization has ignored the spirit of federalism, as outlined in the Constitution, thereby depriving provinces of their due autonomy and resources. Rather than investing in public welfare—healthcare, education, and infrastructure—state spending has disproportionately favored defense and administrative elites. This inversion of priorities has created a state apparatus that sustains itself at the expense of citizen empowerment.
Bureaucracy and Power: The Technocratic Displacement of People In Pakistan, the bureaucracy was inherited from a colonial system designed for control, not service. This legacy persists in the unresponsive and hierarchical nature of public institutions. Bureaucrats and technocrats often operate with little public oversight or accountability, resulting in decisions that are detached from the realities of the communities they affect. Policies are frequently influenced by foreign donor agendas or internal bureaucratic interests rather than informed by grassroots needs or participatory consultation. Ordinary citizens engaging with state institutions are often treated as subjects to be managed, rather than stakeholders to be served. This technocratic mindset contributes to alienation, mistrust, and disengagement between the state and society.
Citizens as Means, Not Ends: The Human Cost The human cost of a state-centric governance model is steep and ongoing. In Pakistan, marginalized communities—including Baloch citizens, tribal populations, and urban poor—have historically experienced systemic neglect, coercive control, and economic exclusion. Surveillance of dissenting voices, censorship of journalists, and crackdowns on peaceful protests have become tools to maintain state authority rather than foster democratic dialogue. Basic rights such as freedom of expression, right to assembly, and access to justice are routinely compromised in the name of "national interest" or "stability." This reduction of citizens to mere tools of state preservation corrodes the very foundation of democratic legitimacy and widens the chasm between the governed and the governing.
Reimagining the State: People-Centric Governance Transforming the Pakistani state into a people-centric institution requires a paradigm shift in governance philosophy. Human security must take precedence over traditional state security. This means investing in public goods such as quality education, universal healthcare, clean water, and affordable housing. Participatory budgeting and local government empowerment should become foundational principles. Rather than relying solely on top-down reforms, the state should actively engage civil society, academia, and marginalized communities in the policymaking process. When governance becomes reflective of people’s needs and aspirations, it not only strengthens democracy but also fosters trust and national cohesion.
Constitutionalism and Civic Responsibility For the state to serve its people, both government institutions and citizens must respect the supremacy of the Constitution. Upholding constitutional provisions is not optional but essential for the rule of law and democratic continuity. Institutions such as the judiciary, the media, and local governance bodies must be strengthened to act as effective intermediaries between the citizen and the state. At the same time, an informed and engaged citizenry is critical. Civic education, voter awareness, and legal literacy can empower citizens to demand accountability and resist authoritarian tendencies. A healthy democracy thrives when both the state and society are committed to mutual responsibility and the common good.
Counterarguments and Balanced View It is essential to acknowledge the state's obligation to preserve order and unity, particularly in a country as ethnically and geographically diverse as Pakistan. National security threats, both internal and external, are complex and cannot be dismissed. However, using these threats to justify autocratic governance or suppress civil liberties is a dangerous overreach. Security and stability must not come at the cost of rights and freedoms. A truly resilient state is one that protects its people not only from external aggression but also from internal injustices and structural violence. Therefore, state strength must be measured by the quality of life it provides, not by the control it exerts.
A state that demands loyalty without offering justice, dignity, and opportunity undermines its very foundation. In Pakistan, reclaiming the idea that the state exists for the people requires more than rhetoric—it demands institutional reform, inclusive governance, and a moral commitment to human-centered development. The future of the republic depends not on how strong the state becomes, but on how well it serves those in whose name it was created. Only by reestablishing the primacy of the citizen can Pakistan hope to fulfill the democratic promise upon which it was founded.
