LAHORE, Aug 15: As PML-N’s provincial government delays the new local government system and fresh polls under it, apparently to avoid putting its ratings to a ‘litmus test’ before the general elections, the bureaucracy wants it to become functional at the earliest to move towards its ultimate goal of restoration of executive magistracy.

To replace the existing local government system given by Gen Musharraf with that of its choice, the Punjab government had around three months ago introduced a bill in the provincial assembly which is still pending.

Sources say the bureaucracy is pushing for the adoption of the new law so as to free the district administration from the elected local councils’ control and reintroduce the defunct colonial set up directly run by the provincial authority.

Another anticipated move is to have the Police Order repealed and end independence of police who are fighting tooth and nail to retain it.

The pending bill does not mention the administrative set up at the district level. But, sources say, this (dist setup) would be introduced after the bill’s passage. The desire is to also restore the defunct executive magistracy though it seems almost impossible after a recent Balochistan High Court judgment and in view of possible resistance from police and the judiciary which are using the powers since its (executive magistracy’s) abolition.

In contrast, the sources say, the provincial government does not appear to be in a hurry to have the law passed. The bill was tabled in the assembly around three months ago and was given to the standing committee concerned for perusal in one month period.

The committee has met only once during these three months. And an extension in the perusal time, which has already lapsed, is possible in the assembly session immediately after Eidul Fitr.

Another indication of the non-seriousness of the government in having the new law passed is that it is planning to further amend the existing Local Government Ordinance 2001 to extend timeframe for fresh elections under it.

The government has had delayed the elections under the 2001 law more than twice. The latest six-month delay was made through an amendment in the law in February last. This deadline is about to end and plans are afoot to further amend the law for another six-month delay, sources say.

Now, they say, if secured, this six-month delay will expire in February 2013. “We may have general elections by then, and then there will be no need left for the local elections and therefore there will be no litmus test,” remarked an official.