LAHORE - There is yet another twist in the tale for the PPP men in the Punjab as its own chosen bureaucracy has distanced itself from political wrangling, and is not interested in aligning with the men working for and behind the Governor rule. Since the post-restoration-of-the-judiciary day especially, even if a few were meaning business with the Governor's men, they have shrunk back in to their folds thereby leaving little room for any 'political' arm twisting of anyone from the other side of the political divide. Secondly, there is a deliberate effort at imparting a non-partisan impression to the world outside beyond the walls of the Civil Secretariat so that the officers from one lot are not considered part of a particular political clan. According to a source, the civil administration was kept at a distance during the pre and post-long march days. "I was not privy to the developments and decisions, as these were taken somewhere, and in certain cases, not even at the provincial level, and the implementation of the orders was the responsibility of a few others. Frankly, I am supposed to be part of meetings where important administrative decisions were made," said a senior officer disapprovingly when it was averred that the success of the long march was partially due to administration's failure. "Look when you choose men for manning the administration on the dubious basis that he is a brother-in-law of someone close to the Governor, and there is no consideration for efficiency and competence, then you cannot blame others for failures rooted deep in such follies," maintained the officer, while implicitly referring to the choice of the top cop of the Punjab Khawaja Khalid Farooq, who is brother-in-law of Farrukh Shah, media advisor to Governor. About the postings of the incumbent administrative secretaries, he was of the view that immediately after the disqualification of ex-CM Shahbaz Sharif, the federal government was actually choosing officers, while the Governor's House recommendation were not given huge weightage. "The glaring example is the appointment of Chief Secretary Punjab Naguib Ullah Malik when the premier prevailed upon the rest though Salmaan Taseer wanted Chief Commissioner Islamabad Kamran Lashari as CS. The same is true quite a few other officers, and there can be a few more examples in future as well. However, this has been a well-coordinated effort, as officers were sent from Islamabad within hours, which otherwise takes days," maintained the officer, while adding that the present lot was actually working impartially so that they do not become 'controversial' for the future bosses. "It is yet another twist in PPP's tricky 'tale' considering the fact that now the incumbent administration is not at all willing to take sides owing to divergent reasons. Firstly, uncertainty about the future political bosses of the province is making the incumbents relax in their chairs and watch the players from a safe distance till the drama concludes. Secondly, a few believe that enough of the politicisation of bureaucracy, and have become totally impartial so that they are good for any chief minister of the Punjab," said senior officer, while accusing the previous administration of creating discrimination among the officers labelling them stooges of the Chaudhrys. Naguib Ullah Malik, while reiterating his previous stance of 'no victimisation and marginalisation of the public servants', said the officers were politically impartial, and they did not have any role to play in the political feuds. "Their job is to implement the development schemes, and running of the administration for facilitating the masses, especially in education and health sectors. We are working in our ambits and performing our duties sans any fear," he said, while maintaining that the liaison with the politicians was only for work, as politics was not officers' preference under any circumstances. Another officer raised questions about the selection done during the previous regime. "There is no denying the fact that bureaucracy has been politicised over a period of time, which is because of our seniors, who had worked not with rather for the previous governments, and quite a few are still holding important slots. Look at the names of Shahbaz Sharif's officialdom. He chose his own men, who has been working either as Secretary to him or as a Commissioner. There was no consideration for seniors even when officers were posted against important seats," he said, while giving some room to the previous political dispensation for wrong decisions, as it was a coalition government. On Tuesday, rumours were running amok at the Civil Secretariat about the return of the previous senior bosses as well. "A few are good for all governments despite their incompetence and inefficiency. No one knows exactly about the gimmick they possess, but certainly clear that a few are good 'managers' at all levels," succinctly concluded the officer.