Decolonizing Administration: A Collaborative Path for Pakistan and Bangladesh Towards People-Centric Governance

Introduction

Pakistan and Bangladesh, two countries that share a common colonial history under British rule, have long grappled with the legacies of colonial administrative structures. These structures, initially designed to serve imperial interests, remain embedded in the governance frameworks of both nations, often hindering the development of people-centric administration. As Pakistan and Bangladesh continue their paths toward modernization and democratization, the time is ripe to explore collaborative efforts that could decolonize their administrative systems, making governance more responsive, transparent, and inclusive.

The Colonial Legacy in Administration

The colonial administration in South Asia was structured to control rather than serve the people. Its primary objectives were resource extraction, law enforcement, and maintaining British hegemony. The administrative system that evolved under British rule—featuring a rigid bureaucracy, a centralized power structure, and limited accountability—has persisted in both Pakistan and Bangladesh since their respective independence.

Key characteristics of colonial administrative systems:

1. Bureaucratic Centralization: Power was concentrated in the hands of a few elite bureaucrats, often at the expense of local governance and community involvement.
2. Control-Oriented Policies: Policies were implemented with a top-down approach, prioritizing the interests of the ruling class rather than the needs of the people.
3. Lack of Accountability: With limited democratic oversight, administrative systems often functioned with little regard for transparency or accountability to the public.

Despite reforms in both Pakistan and Bangladesh, many elements of this legacy continue to shape governance today. Centralized bureaucracies, hierarchical decision-making, and a lack of community participation still characterize much of the administrative process.

The Case for Decolonization

Decolonizing administration is not just a matter of reforming governance structures but also transforming the mindset and culture of the administration itself. A people-centric administration would prioritize the needs of citizens, encourage participation, and make government more transparent and accountable.

Key areas for decolonization include:

• Decentralization of Power: Moving away from centralized decision-making to empower local governance institutions.
• Accountability and Transparency: Enhancing mechanisms for citizens to hold the government accountable through open data initiatives, feedback systems, and independent oversight bodies.
• Participatory Governance: Actively involving citizens in policy formulation and implementation, allowing for grassroots input and better alignment with community needs.

Collaborative Path for Pakistan and Bangladesh

Both Pakistan and Bangladesh face similar challenges in overcoming the colonial legacy. However, a collaborative approach to decolonizing administration could offer significant benefits by sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources. Here are some key strategies for fostering collaboration between the two nations:

1. Joint Administrative Reforms Initiative (JARI): Pakistan and Bangladesh could establish a joint task force dedicated to exploring avenues for administrative reform. This task force could conduct studies on best practices in public administration, propose decentralization models, and identify areas where colonial legacies still dominate governance.
2. Bilateral Capacity Building Programs: Through collaborative training programs, both countries could learn from each other’s experiences in reforming public administration. For example, Bangladesh’s success in decentralizing power to local governments in the early 2000s could offer valuable lessons for Pakistan’s own decentralization efforts. Similarly, Pakistan’s advancements in digital governance could benefit Bangladesh’s attempts to enhance public service delivery.
3. Shared Research and Knowledge Exchange: Universities, research institutions, and civil society organizations in both countries could engage in joint research on decolonization and people-centric governance. This research could provide the empirical foundation needed to support reforms and guide policy decisions.
4. Public-Private Partnerships for Administrative Innovation: Encouraging collaboration between the public and private sectors in both countries could drive innovation in governance. By leveraging technology and private sector expertise, Pakistan and Bangladesh could develop more efficient administrative processes that prioritize citizens’ needs.

Comparative Research Findings on Decolonization Efforts

1. India's Panchayati Raj Model: India’s experience with decentralization through the Panchayati Raj system offers important lessons for Pakistan and Bangladesh. By empowering local governments and ensuring that administrative powers are devolved to the grassroots level, India has made significant strides in people-centric governance. A similar model could be adapted for Pakistan and Bangladesh, with joint committees exploring its applicability in their contexts.
2. Bangladesh’s Digital Governance Initiatives: Bangladesh’s efforts in digital governance, particularly through the Access to Information (a2i) program, demonstrate how technology can be used to make administration more transparent and responsive. These initiatives have reduced bureaucratic red tape and made public services more accessible to citizens. Pakistan could adopt similar models to enhance its own governance framework.
3. Pakistan’s Police Reforms: Pakistan’s attempts to reform its police force, particularly by introducing community policing initiatives, could serve as a model for Bangladesh. These reforms aim to build trust between the police and communities, an essential aspect of decolonizing the administration and ensuring that law enforcement serves rather than controls the population.

Critique of Progress in Decolonizing Administration

Despite some progress, both Pakistan and Bangladesh have been slow in implementing meaningful reforms to decolonize their administrative systems. In Bangladesh, the concentration of power in the executive branch under the current government has undermined attempts at decentralization. Similarly, Pakistan’s civil service reforms have often been stymied by political interests and resistance from the entrenched bureaucracy.

One of the major criticisms of the government in Bangladesh is its reliance on a bureaucratic state apparatus inherited from the colonial era. The concentration of executive power and the slow pace of decentralization have hindered the development of a truly people-centric administration. Pakistan, while making strides in digital governance, still faces challenges in reforming its civil service and ensuring that local governments are empowered to make decisions that reflect the needs of their communities.

Current Collaborative Agreements and Efforts

While both countries have shown an interest in collaboration, formal agreements on joint administrative reforms have been limited. Trade agreements and cultural exchanges between Pakistan and Bangladesh have been a focus, but the potential for administrative collaboration remains largely untapped. There have been discussions around forming joint economic commissions, but these have not fully addressed the need for deeper reforms in governance structures.

Conclusion

Decolonizing administration is a crucial step towards making governance in Pakistan and Bangladesh more responsive and people centric. By collaborating, these two nations can learn from each other’s experiences, develop innovative solutions, and finally overcome the colonial legacy that continues to shape their governance structures. Through joint initiatives like the Joint Administrative Reforms Initiative (JARI), bilateral capacity building programs, and knowledge-sharing platforms, Pakistan and Bangladesh can chart a new course toward decolonized, people-centered governance systems that serve the needs of their citizens more effectively.

References

1. Banerjee, A. "Decentralization in South Asia: Lessons from Panchayati Raj." South Asian Studies Journal, 2022.
2. Khan, H. "Colonial Legacies in Pakistan's Bureaucracy." Journal of Public Administration Research, 2021.
3. Molla, R. "Digital Governance in Bangladesh: Achievements and Challenges." Access to Information Bangladesh, 2020.
4. Siddiqui, T. "Police Reforms in Pakistan: Community Policing as a Path to People-Centric Law Enforcement." Pakistan Law Review, 2021.