CRISIS OF GOVERNANCE IN THE BUREAUCRACY OF PAKISTAN: A STUDY OF ADMINISTRATIVE RAMIFICATIONS WITH APPOSITE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

Abstract

This article presents the dynamics and nature of bureaucratic governance in Pakistan during various regimes including some notice of the Colonial period. It discusses the practices and norms of the famous ‘steel frame of administration’ of the British Raj. Bureaucracy embroiled itself in politics and contravened the golden sayings of Quaid-i-Azam. The colonial tradition of primacy of bureaucrats resulted into politicization of bureaucracy after Pakistan became an independent country. Bureau-politic bonhomie led to institutional decay, arbitrary decision-making, corruption scandals, kick-back culture, rent-seeking behavior and lack of accountability, etc. The study endeavors to explicate the grey areas in the bureaucracy of Pakistan with the objective of suggesting reforms to minimize politicization of bureaucracy, gradual institutional decay, estrangement between federal and provincial services, and promoting culture of accountability to achieve cherished goal of a developed Pakistan in 21st Century.