Islamabad, Mar. 11 : Fears of return of military rule or a change of regime in Pakistan gained momentum on Wednesday after a report in Fox News indicated a source as telling it that President Asif Ali Zardari, who is in Tehran for a regional economic conference and is expected to proceed to his former home in exile Dubai, may not return to Pakistan in the short term if tensions continue to rise or perhaps in the longer term if the political situation slides into chaos.

Islamabad  - Police on Wednesday began a crackdown on opposition parties and anti-government lawyers in Pakistan's eastern province of Punjab to forestall this week's planned countrywide protest march.

More than 150 political activists, mostly from the party of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, were rounded up in several towns of the country's most populous province, according to media reports.

The arrests came after an overnight ban on public gatherings in Punjab and were followed by a similar ban in the southern Sindh province.

Islamabad  - Fears are growing that the Pakistani opposition's planned march on Islamabad this week might throw the nuclear-armed country into chaos and put the political future of pro-Western President Asif Ali Zardari at risk.

The political confrontation could also drive Pakistan away from its fight against extremism and efforts to overcome its economic crisis, two prime concerns Western governments want the Islamic country to focus upon.

Islamabad  - Pakistani military Tuesday said troops killed at least 35 militants in two days of fighting in the troubled North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan.

The clashes between the security forces and the Islamist insurgents began Monday in the lawless town of Darra Adam Khel, some 45 kilometres south of provincial capital Peshawar.

"At least 35 militants were killed while three soldiers were wounded," a military spokesman said.

Islamabad, Mar. 10 : Amidst the on-going political blame game, and fears of military taking over the reigns, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has assured that there is no risk of derailment of democracy in the country.

According to a People's Media Cell handout released before his departure to Iran, Zardari negated the notion that Pakistan is a failed state.

He said every step is being taken to ensure the stability of democracy and democratic organizations in the country.

Islamabad - Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday left for a two-day visit to Iran to discuss trade and a proposed gas pipeline between the two neighbours, an official said.

Zardari will meet Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other senior leaders, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Abdul Basit said.

"Both sides will have in-depth exchange of views on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with a focus on greater cooperation in communication and energy sectors," Basit said.