Wise move by govt and media people to sit down and talk about the proposed changes before anything is put in place.
Govt suspends changes in Pemra Ordinance
**The government has suspended any proceedings under the Pemra Amendment Ordinance against the electronic media till a six-member committee reviews the recent changes in the ordinance and submits its report to the prime minister. According to a statement issued late on Wednesday night, the committee will submit its report to the prime minister within the shortest possible time and till such time the proceedings under the Pemra Amendment Ordinance, 2007 will not be initiated against electronic media. **A meeting of the TV channels and newspapers’ owners was held with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Islamabad on the matter concerning the recently promulgated Pemra Amendment Ordinance. Federal Minister for Information Muhammad Ali Durrani, Secretary Information Syed Anwar Mahmood and Secretary General PML Mushahid Hussain Sayed represented the government side. The meeting was also attended by the Chairman Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, President, All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Hameed Haroon, Secretary-General, APNS, Muhammad Aslam Kazi and Arif Nizami of APNS. After the prime minister heard the representation made by the media delegation with respect to the withdrawal of the ordinance, it was decided that all options of Pemra Amendment Ordinance, promulgated on June 4, 2007, would be reviewed in totality by the six-member committee, comprising three members, one each from PBA, APNS and CPNE and three senior government officials from the Federal Ministry of Information, Ministry of Law and Pemra. The prime minister assured the media delegation that all actions in this regard would be taken in a spirit of mutual tolerance and in the interest of principles of justice. The final report of this committee will explore all alternatives and options or a modified Pemra Ordinance 2007 with attendant rules and regulations. The prime minister reiterated the commitment of President Gen Pervez Musharraf and the government to preserve, protect and promote a free media in the country.
Isolated Musharraf suspends media curbs as anger grows on streets and in ruling party Declan Walsh in Islamabad
Friday June 8, 2007
The Pakistani government was forced into a dramatic climbdown yesterday as the political crisis surrounding President Pervez Musharraf deepened, with international condemnation of harsh new media laws and the first signs of serious dissent within his own party.
As thousands of people demonstrated in four cities - some in defiance of a ban - the government overturned a decree signed by Mr Musharraf on Monday empowering the government to close television stations, revoke licences and impose large fines. The decree brought international protests. Human Rights Watch said it would “muzzle” the free press and European ambassadors issued a rare statement of concern. The prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, responded by suspending the decree yesterday. Mr Musharraf appears increasingly isolated as he battles through the greatest political challenge of his career. Lawyers, journalists and opposition parties were already openly hostile when, two days ago, he rounded on his Pakistan Muslim League party for failing to support him. “You always leave me alone in time of trial and tribulation,” he berated followers at a party meeting, according to the News newspaper.
Ishaq Khakwani, one of 77 ministers in the federal cabinet, said Mr Musharraf complained: “Things happen, but I have to face the brunt alone.”
Several party officials told the Guardian they were unhappy with Mr Musharraf’s handling of the crisis provoked by the attempted sacking of the chief justice, and feared it might bring the government down. A senior figure, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Mistakes are being made and we don’t want it to spin out of control. This is an election year.”
Kabir Wasti, one of the party’s 40 vice-presidents, said:** “The president has lost the support of the majority of the people of Pakistan, if not the whole.” **
Analysts said party activists sensed that the public mood had turned. “Musharraf is trying to insert steel rods inside their spines to stand up and defend him. But he fails to recognise they are politicians, and they understand there is great anger on the streets,” said Abbas Nasir, editor of the Dawn newspaper.
Several hundred journalists rallied in Islamabad yesterday despite a ban on meetings of more than five people. Meanwhile Mr Musharraf took his fight with the chief justice back to the courts. His chief of staff and the heads of two intelligence agencies filed affidavits in the supreme court supporting Mr Musharraf’s allegations of corruption.
Major General Mian Nadeem Ijaz Ahmad, head of military intelligence, said the chief justice had sought information about other judges for his personal “database”.
Analysts said Mr Musharraf might resort to more drastic steps. “Any attempt to impose emergency rule and suspend fundamental rights would be pouring petrol on the fire,” said Samina Ahmed of the International Crisis Group, citing rumours of military rule.
The president was expected to address the nation on television. Mr Musharraf’s hopes for re-election by the current parliament, whose term expires next autumn, are fading. PML officials privately advocate a prospect the president recently ruled out - sharing power with the exiled opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto. “We could have a German-style grand coalition,” said the senior party official.
Well above suspension was indeed a good step by Mush but only after one day govt. denounce the suspension order, hawks are in total control of Mush., poor mush seems to be a puppet.
