Project:Sandbox

A group of unelected government officials is referred to as a bureaucracy. The bureaucracy of Pakistan is organized in accordance with Max Weber's idea of bureaucracy. It is well organized into a rigid hierarchy of people who are subject to strict rules and regulations.

The government employs a grading system with a hierarchy that starts at Basic Pay Scales (BPS) 1 and finishes at BPS-22. Bureaucracy typically begins with officials who have a BPS-17. There is one federal government and several provincial governments in Pakistan. There are ministries and divisions within the federal government. In the hierarchy, a Secretary (BPS-22) is the head of the Ministry or Division, followed by an Additional Secretary (BPS-21), a Joint Secretary (BPS-20), a Deputy Secretary (BPS-19), and a Section Officer (BPS-18/17). Instead of ministries or divisions, provincial governments have departments. In department, a secretary (BPS-21/20) is the official head, followed by an additional secretary (BS-19), a deputy secretary (BPS-18), and a section officer (BPS-17). There are directorates with distinct job responsibilities further down under Ministries and Divisions. Provincial governments have a similar system in place.

In Pakistan, laws are made by the parliament, a body of chosen representatives of the people. According to Articles 90 and 91 of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, the elected government has the power to make executive decisions. Implementing of Government directives is the main duty of the bureaucracy.

Historically, Pakistan’s bureaucracy’s roots can be traced to centralized administrative structure built by the British during the colonial era. On August 14, 1947, Pakistan got independence and took over the colonial bureaucracy. Although Pakistan experienced many difficulties in 1947, the bureaucracy was vital in facilitating the country's transition from colonial to self-government. The inherited organizational structure remained substantially unaltered.

Pakistan's bureaucracy has changed and evolved over time to meet the nation's shifting needs. In the early years of its existence, Pakistan was subject to periods of political unrest and military control, with military coups taking place in 1958, 1969, 1977, and 1999. The bureaucracy found itself negotiating the dynamics between civilian administrations and the military throughout these times, which had an impact on how it developed and carried out policy. The bureaucracy frequently supported military regimes and helped them carry out their programmes. It had to contend with the various geographical, linguistic, and cultural traits of the nation.

It has been a constant struggle to balance the interests of many provinces and regions. To increase effectiveness, transparency, and accountability, Pakistan has regularly implemented administrative and bureaucratic changes. Various governments have made reforms in an effort to eradicate corruption and streamline the bureaucracy. Overall, the colonial legacies, political tensions, economic aspirations, and regional diversity that have shaped Pakistan's bureaucracy's history are intricately intertwined. It still plays a crucial part in Pakistan's government and development despite the fact that its role has changed throughout time.