General Musharraf retreats, ends curbs on media

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday reversed a contentious decree that was meant to curb the media following nationwide protests by journalists, opposition parties and civil society.

"The President has directed withdrawal of the ordinance," news agency PTI quoted Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani as saying.

Musharraf, unhappy with the media coverage of his decision in March to suspend Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, had issued an ordinance on Monday giving the state broadcasting authority Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) more powers to shut down television stations.

According to the ordinance, PEMRA could halt broadcasters' transmissions, close offices, seize equipment and revoke licenses.

The ordinance imposed penalties for programmes or coverage deemed anti-military or anti-judiciary. It also warned that if there is any violation of orders, then the premises of the broadcasters can be sealed, distributors can be penalised and offenders can be fined up to Rs 10 million (Pakistani rupees) - the equivalent of nearly Rs 70 lakhs in Indian money.

Musharraf issued the withdrawal order at a meeting with members of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association, Durrani said.

Chaudhry's suspension in March had sparked off protests from lawyers and the opposition, which have snowballed into the most serious challenge to the authority of Musharraf since he seized power in 1999.

Musharraf has projected himself as a champion of the media, as the number of independent broadcasters has multiplied since he came to power in a military coup.

But he says some television news channels' reporting of the judicial crisis has been unbalanced.

The government has also objected to coverage of opposition rallies in which Chaudhry's supporters criticised the Army, and last week effectively banned live broadcasts.

Saturday’s withdrawal follows the announcement by the government to stop the implementation of the ordinance till a six-member committee forwarded its recommendations on it.