Session 16: Functions of Bureacracy

Bureaucracy is the administrative sector of the state, which is responsible for executing government policies. Bureaucracy is considered the backbone of the state and it is responsible for carrying out administrative functions, offering policy advice, articulating and aggregating interests and maintaining political stability. The bureaucracy in Pakistan has failed to perform its functions and this has prevented the state organs to function properly.

The politicization, which abolished the gap between public and private interests of bureaucracy, is the major reason for its downfall. Instead of working for the state’s benefits, the civil servants in Pakistan tend to work for the interests of the corrupt political leaders because they are rewarded and punished on their willingness to collude with these politicians. The politicization of these civil servants started after Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto removed their constitutional security. The constitutional security strengthened the administration by protecting civil servants from political and public influence. Since then, bureaucrats have   turned into self-serving individuals that completely disregard the interests of the state. Corruption in rampant in the civil service of Pakistan and it is failing to carry out its functions.

Unless action is taken to ensure that there is transparency in the decision-making and accountability on part of the civil servants, the bureaucracy cannot perform its functions efficiently.