Lahore High Court has summoned Advocate General Punjab on March 9 to assist the case challenging local bodies system and appointment of administrators.
Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed heard the case filed by Local Council Association. Advocate Fawad Chaudhry argued in the court that amendments in the local bodies system was against Article 140-A of the constitution.
He added that bureaucracy has been imposed on Pakistan instead of democracy, while the constitution did not allow anti-democratic laws.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that democracy has been restored in the country owing to the huge sacrifices made by the champions of democracy.
Addressing PPP members, the PM claimed that the incumbent government has created harmony among the provinces, and added that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s vision of reconciliation is being pursued.
He asserted that those democratic powers made alliance who were against the dictatorship. Terming opposition’s role in the government as vital, the Premier said that absence of the former create depression.
He said that there should be one system as regards the local bodies system, and added that suggestions have been taken from all the four chief ministers in this regard.

Pakistan News: Under Anti-Terrorism Act, rangers have been given special powers to control law and order situation in Karachi. The notification issued from CM House Sindh, it was decided by the provincial government that under Anti-Terrorism Act, Sindh Rangers’ powers have been extended to all across the metropolitan to make sure the strict action against the culprits. According to the notification, it was strictly prohibited to carry arms openly in the city. The provincial government has authorised Rangers to conduct house-to-house search in Karachi and take action against elements involved in violence. Earlier, Rangers had given control of 26 police stations.

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Chief of his own faction of Pakistan Muslim League Mian Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday declared that the government’s policies are endangering the democracy in the country.

“Avoiding implementation of Supreme Court of Pakistan’s verdict against National Reconciliation Ordinance is deplorable and I am seeing the democracy in danger due to this government’s policies,” PML-N chief said while talking to newsmen here.

Nawaz also called on NRO-tainted ministers and advisers of the incumbent government to resign from their offices and face the courts to get them declared innocent from the corruption charges leveled against them.

Two-time former premier denied he has had any personal rivalry with President Asif Ali Zardari. However, he added, Zardari is the one “who neither implemented Charter of Democracy nor fulfilled his other promises”.

“We have differences with the government on the way the matters are being run in this country,” Sharif added.

To a query, he denied he has refused contesting the election for National Assembly under any agreement, saying the PML-N will soon announce its candidate on NA-123.

KARACHI, Pakistan News: PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif has said that democracy is impossible sans reformation and pledged to foil any conspiracy being hatched in this regard.
During a joint conference with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Nawaz termed PPP as a national asset, and attributed the current situation to dictatorship. “It is our duty to address all the prevailing issues”, Nawaz said and added that dictators should be taken to task urging all the political parties to come forward to salvage the country. The PML-N leader called for implementation of Charter of Democracy to settle all issues and warned to cross any activity set to dislodge the incumbent government. Nawaz said that instead of being given guard of honour, the distorters of constitution should be penalized. He called for tolerance regarding criticism, adding that Pakistan’s progress hinged on internal stability. Talking on the occasion, CM Sindh called for unity among political parties, and added that the blast that struck Asuhra procession in Karachi was not suicidal, saying that a report in this regard would be presented tomorrow.

Islamabad, Pakistan News: Absolving the incumbent government of all the charges regarding power crisis facing the country, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the said crisis is being inherited from the previous regime.
Talking to media in Islamabad, the Premier said that the power shortage would not be addressed through finance but an authentic strategy is needed, adding that he did not love setting dates like Raja Parvez Ashraf, Federal Minister for Water and Power.
PM said that the power supply is being disrupted due to desilting drive initiated across the country and warned that the next crisis that would hit the country would be water shortage. The PM said that his government has been elected for five year term, posing a question that why his government being put to accountability only after passage of a year and half.
He said his party would not vie for next polls if it remained unable to fulfil its promises made with the public

NEW YORK: New Jersey Governor Race 2009 results, Republican Chris Christie defeated the incumbent Democratic governor of New Jersey Wednesday, US media projected, in a second electoral blow for President Barack Obama who had campaigned for the Democrat.