Abstract
Policy implementation studies gathered importance somewhat late in 1970s. Subsequent research and studies have produced a continuing debate with emphasis on game-theoretic notions, ultimately leading to notion of power. Most of such research has concentrated on Western stable democracies. Interest is growing in comparative studies, and this paper presents the case of Pakistan. Forty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with key policy actors to explore their knowledge, perspectives and experience with reference to their role in policy implementation. The key informants were mainly politicians, bureaucrats, ministry officials, and technocrats from Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Sindh provinces. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Power and policy networks emerged as the main themes. Findings suggest that policy implementation in Pakistan is a complex process and suffers inertia. It is shaped by capacity of elites in power, political patronage, influence of elite groups out of power for the time being, hidden power relationships and utilitarian mechanisms for participation in the policy subsystem. The analysis revealed the role of policy actors, their power relations resulting into strong implicit networks that lead to stasis of policies for a long time.