Bureaucratic Elites and
Policy Making in Pakistan
1947-58
INTRODUCTION
Generally the Political system is composed of
different components i.e bureaucracy, religious
and political elites etc and all these inter
dependent components are assigned a
specific role to play within the prescribed
jurisdiction.
Section-I Explains all those factors responsible for
the ascendancy of the bureaucratic elites in the
politics of Pakistan.
Section-II Covers the role of bureaucratic elites in
policy making of Pakistan (1947-54).
Section-III Covers the era of bureaucratic
ascendancy during (1954-58).
Causes of Bureaucratic Ascendancy in Pakistan
Lack of Trained Politicians
Lack of Popular support and power base of Politicians
Fragmentation in the rank of Muslim League
Our Bureaucracy- A Colonial Heritage
Indoctrination of Elitism in Training Academy
Retention of Vice Regal powers by Jinnah
Early problems of Pakistan
Unwillingness of Bureaucrats to Curtail their Powers
Curtailments of Political Process by imposition of
legal restrictions on Political activities
PART II
Bureaucratic elites and policy making in Pakistan
(1947-51)
Jinnah’s personal decision to become Governor General
instead of Prime Minister of Pakistan
He had appointed British Bureaucrats as governors of
provinces, believing that their experience and bureaucratic
acumen were necessary for Pakistan survival in its early
stages.
During (1947-54) nine provincial governments were dismissed.
After Jinnah’s death shifted the focus of powers to the prime
minister’s office. For the survival of newly born state he
depended on the bureaucracy.
Liaqat government call the opposition parties “the traitors” and
passed the first act PRODA in 1949.
Bureaucratic elites and policy making in Pakistan during
(1951-54)
Bureaucratic elites took strong hold over decision making and it was
enjoyed by the cabinet secretariat which was manned by the
bureaucrats.
After Liaqat’s death resulted in the conversion of the office of governor
General into an instrument of bureaucratic intervention.
Under Ghulam Muhammad the bureaucratic elites established a
paternalistic relationship with the politicians and thus aborted the
process of party politics.
Section 92 A .
Major Steps
Dismissal of Khwaja Nazimmudin as a Prime Minister of Pakistan
Appointment of Mohammad Ali Bogra as the Prime Minister of Pakistan
Dismissal of Fazl-ul-Haq The Chief Minister of East Pakistan and the
imposition of Governor rule in the province.
Bogra efforts for the reformation of the Bureaucracy
Dissolution of the constitution assembly of Pakistan
Bureaucratic Elites and Policy Making in Pakistan (1954-58)
Governor General Iskandar Mirza
Decentralized autonomous tendencies in the provinces
To control the politician with the help of divide and rule policy
Major Steps
One Unit Scheme
Formation of the Republican Party
Constitution of 1956
Conclusion
During 1947-58 bureaucracy performed the twin functions of
policy making and policy implementation.
Bureaucratic structure based on colonial pattern
The politicization of the bureaucracy was by default as well,
because the politicians belonged to the landowning class, thus
lack of political experience and unity among their rank.
From 1947-54, the bureaucratic elites did not create political
crises by themselves rather they took benefits from the already
prevailing crises.
Government of India Act 1935 which empower Governor General
