Abstract:
This thesis employed coloniality as a theoretical vantage point to explore the problems of public policy in Pakistan. Its basic premise is to examine the historical context of colonial rule in Pakistan and its lasting impacts on public policy and to explore whether policymakers believe that the colonial legacy is a contributary factor in the problems policymakers face and whether it was a reason why public policy formulation and implementation has been inadequate in addressing local indigenous issues. The research addressed this gap by critically examining the reasons behind the irrelevance of western centric solutions to indigenous problems within the context of public policy. By exploring the dynamics of knowledge productions, policy discourse and power relations, my study aimed to shed light on the intricacies of post-colonial public policymaking and praxis. This thesis employed unstructured interviewing of various stakeholders including bureaucrats in policymaking circles, academics and citizens to explore whether colonial legacies play a role in the policy-related problems of Pakistan. It did so through qualitative research aimed at exploring the need for decolonization of public policy. This research will inform not only national policymaking circles but will also be very helpful in providing guidelines for policymaking for indigenous people on sub/local levels of national governments. The research demonstrated dominant tendencies within public policymaking exhibits signs of coloniality of power. The coloniality of knowledge manifests in colonial pedagogical arrangements that remain Western-centric in the dissemination of knowledge. Another way coloniality manifests itself in Pakistan is through the capture of local epistemes by captive minds. However, there are instances in which various structures have sought to transcend this coloniality by resorting to indigenous knowledge.
