ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: President Asif Ali Zardari Monday said I will respect Supreme Court (SC)’s ruling regarding judges’ appointment. An executive order, seeking approval of judges’ restoration, will soon be tabled in joint session of assembly.

There are no imminent of midterm elections in country, he said adding, PPP understands very well how to run democracy and we will respect apex court’s verdict pertaining to appointment of judges.

According to sources, addressing the meetings of Senate and National Assembly’s parliamentary committees of PPP here at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Zardari said there is a big difference in being exiled and jailed as I lost precious 8 years in imprisonment while some one else remained exiled for the same period.

Referring to latest tremor in political scenario, he said political actors are politicizing issues, as it always happens in politics but they are not going to be allowed to exploit matters of national interests to derail democracy; besides they must be rest assured of the completion of 5-year-term of our government.

Advising the nation, President said people should not turn the attentive ears to negative propagandas of opposition parties, forbidding the activists of PPP from counter protest.

Meanwhile, spokesman to presidency Farhatullah Babar quoted President Zardari saying 2010 is the year of Local Bodies elections.

According to him, the president said PPP will engage its coalition partners in thorough consultation before reaching any decision regarding LB elections.

KARACHI, Pakistan News: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned a meeting of provincial ministers of local bodies today to decide the future of the local councils system, Sindh minister for local bodies Agha Siraj Durrani said.

Talking to media men outside Sindh Assembly premises Siraj Durrani said People’s Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement have agreed over appointment of the local bodies administrators.

He said the local bodies elections likely to be held by the end of the May.

LAHORE, Pakistan News: An application has been filed in Supreme Court seeking constitutional indemnity for President Zardari on Tuesday.
The petition was filed in the Supreme Court Registrar Office. The petitioner argued that under the Article 248 of the constitution President Zardari is immune and therefore no criminal cases could be initiated against him both in the country and abroad.

Pakistan News: President Asif Ali Zardari said that local body (LG) election will expose the real popularity of any party. Addressing the ceremony of Benazir Employees Stock Scheme, the President said that some elements were spreading propaganda against PPP but “we will do everything for the prosperity of the poor.” He said that handful of elements were spreading terrorism. He said that he would play his role to make the federation more stronger and he cannot remain silent on issues related to common man. He said that he would strive hard for stronger Pakistan and said, “It is my duty to save Pakistan.

TANK, Pakistan News: At least one child was killed and five others were injured in an explosion in Tank city.

The injured children were rushed to Headquarter hospital Tank.

Before long, the security forces arrived on spot and put a security cordon around the blast and emergency has been declared at local hospitals.

According to preliminary reports, there was a suicide vest lying in the playground in Tank area of Civil Lines, where the children were playing. A kid touched it causing the huge explosion.

According to government sources, the ages of children are between eight and 12.

Lahore, Pakistan News: President Asif Ali Zardari has reached Lahore. Governor Punjab Salman Taseer, PPP senior minister Raja Riyaz and other ministers greeted him at Allama Iqbal International Airport on Wednesday. President Zardari reached Govorner House from the airport from where he will start his official activites from tomorrow. President Zardari will adress PPP workers at Govornor House at 2pm tomorrow. President will stay 5-7 days in Lahore. During his visit, President Zardari will meet the business community, lawyers and journalists. He will inaguarate different projects in different districts. The president will not be able to meet the Sharif Brothers this time as the PML-N leaders are abroad. Security was put on high alert and 5,000 police officials were deployed.

Karachi, Pakistan News: President Asif Ali Zardari has called a meeting of PPP members belonging to Karachi regarding the Lyari situation, today.
The situation prevailing in Lyari will be brought under discussion during the meeting which will be held in Bilalwal House Karachi. Protests carried out by People’s Peace Committee Lyari and authorities given to rangers will also be discussed in the meeting. The reservations of PPP members will also be brought under argument regarding giving authorities to rangers by federal Minister Rehman Malik.

TEHRAN: Iran says it welcomes Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s comments that there is no hard-and-fast deadline for starting nuclear dialogue.

Clinton says the Obama administration remains open to negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program, though will move toward tougher sanctions if Iran does not respond positively. She stressed there was no hard-and-fast deadline for Iran.

Responding Tuesday, Iran’s foreign ministry welcomed the comments

“We share the same idea with her. Deadlines are meaningless,” spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says.

The U.S. and other western allies accuse Iran of working to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies the charge and says its program is for peaceful purposes.

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan News: President Zardari has called upon the global community to seriously help resolve Kashmir dispute and added that Pakistan would support Kashmiris on all fronts.
Addressing a joint meeting of Azad Kashmir legislative assembly and AJK Kashmir Council, the President warned that the lingering Kashmir issue would further harm the regional stability. The President added that India has been suppressing Kashmiris by force, and termed it Pakistan’s duty to help them get their rights.
Zardari called for resumption of dialogue with India, however, added that Kashmir would top any such talk. He said that all available resources would be utilized for the development of Kashmir. The President also noted to exempt the Mangla Dam affectees from uplift funds, with an announcement of establishment of medical college and dry port.

NAUDERO, Pakistan News : President Asif Ali Zardari has said that non-state actors wanted to destabilize the country.

He was addressing the public gathering held to observe the second death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto here on Sunday.

He said that Pakistan People’s Party is ready to give any sacrifice to uphold democracy in the country, saying that “We are the people who followed the path of martyrs”.

The President vowed to protect the country to becoming Iraq, Somali or Afghanistan.

Zardari stated that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made the country an atomic state besides giving a constitution, while his Shaheed daughter Benazir Bhutto continued his mission and gave a missile technology to the country. Zardari pledged to continue the mission of ZA Bhutto.

He said Benazir Bhutto fought against a dictator and forced another to doff his uniform.

Garhi Khuda Bux is the centre of PPP politics, he added.