Provinces get the reins of local bodies

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on late night Thursday transferred the power of amending the Local Government Ordinance to the provinces, giving the fate of the one-time basic democracy in the hands of provincial governments.

“The President has approved the amendments in the Local Government Ordinance 2001 after consulting Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani,” said a statement issued by presidential spokesman Farhatullah Baber.