Weber defines bureaucracy in terms of certain characteristics such as hierarchy, meritocracy, impersonal authority, documentation and rules.However, to what extent does this weberian ideal type exist in Pakistan is questionable. Bureaucracy has grown powerful and is seen as an integral part of the government that exploits and abuse power.
Hierarchy can be observed in Pakistan's bureaucracy where bureaucrats are ranked according to their posts and orders are passed down. However, are bureaucrats in Pakistan certainly confined under a set of rules? Do they follow the laws they are bounded by? Maybe in paper but not in practice. In fact, corruption has eroded the political system of Pakistan in which bureaucrats play a major role. Impersonal and rational legal authority has disappeared and Pakistan is still in a traditional state where kinship is given priority where appointments are made not on the basis of skills and abilities . Bureaucracy has grown in size but not in quality, it has become militarized and politicized undermining it's functions of administration and regulation.
The need for accountability is growing in order for bureaucracy to function effectively and efficiently. But how is this possible when the whole political system of Pakistan is still under the shadow of the colonial era ?
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