On Monday, 17^th October 2023, Dr. Rasool Bakhsh Rais, Professor of Political Science in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, LUMS, Lahore delivered a lecture- on “Pakistan: State and Society”, to the participants of the 34^th SMC.

During the lecture discussion, Dr. Rais discussed the historical development of the Westphalian state system and the evolution of the nation-state concept in Pakistan, emphasizing ethnic, cultural, and anti-colonial political nationalism. The Islamic perspective on statehood was discussed, including the relationship between religion and the state. The lecture covered the transformation of Pakistani society, ranging from traditional customs to industrial and post- industrial shifts. He also touched upon social contract theories, the rise of democratic societies, and the constraints on state power. Dr. Rais further highlighted the challenges facing the Pakistani state, the rise of a guardian security state, and the struggle for a democratic system.

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