Pakistan Peoples Party Censures Curbs on Press  
'Pakistan Times' Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Ms Benazir Bhutto has condemned the far-reaching restrictions slammed on private channels.

In a statement Wednesday the former Prime Minister said that the Pakistan Peoples Party that had ushered in the period of press freedom was particularly pained at the what she phrased as repressive steps taken against the media. She said that the Pakistan Peoples Party would support the journalists and media for the freedom of press.

Ms Bhutto said that the actions against the press were one of desperation. She called upon the media to unite as it would be impossible for the government to shut down all the electronic media. She said that by taking the steps against the media, the rulers were demonstrating an intolerance, which would undermine the attempts to create a pluralistic and diverse society in the country.

Ms Bhutto said that the PPP is proud of the courage shown by the vast majority of the members of the media who have been killed, kidnapped, assaulted, threatened, suffered physical intimidation and been victims of terror attacks but still kept up the flag of press freedom. She said that in modern society the press is the fourth pillar of state.

On Sunday the PEMRA law was amended giving the government sweeping powers to cancel license, seize broadcast equipment, seal premises and impose heavy fines of ten million rupees on private TV channels that do not toe the government's line. The amending ordinance also empowered the Authority to suspend the license even before investigations are completed and culpability established.

Further a new clause was inserted under which the authorities could slam new curbs on the broadcasters just by issuing new regulations in an official gazette without reference to Parliament and the stakeholders.

PPP CEC Meeting Called

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party has called an emergency meeting of its Central Executive Committee and Federal Council to discuss the PEMRA amendments that have been imposed by the regime.

The meeting has been called at Bilawal House at 3pm in Karachi on June 7, 2007, and will be chaired by Makhdoom Amin Faheem.

In a press communique the Central Information Secretary of the party, Sherry Rehman said that the meeting has been called to take strong note of the Pemra amendments and their ramifications on fundamental freedoms and the future of democracy in Pakistan.

The PPP has strongly condemned the laws as anti-democratic and unconstitutional, and its CEC will convene after the meeting to lead a protest rally from Bilawal House to the PEMRA offices. The rally will then join the press rally called to commemorate June 7 as a "black day".

In solidarity with the journalist community, the PPP has also called for nation-wide protests against these new PEMRA laws and will also mobilize the party for further action.

The PPP meeting on the 7th June will also finalise the decision to take up the Pemra amendments to court said Rehman. The PPP stands by its commitment to press freedoms and will remain on the frontlines of this struggle as well.

"Nobody in Pakistan is willing to accept curbs on their fundamental rights any longer, and these laws, like all other non-democratic practices and goverments, must go. The people are waiting for a stable, democratic government brought in through free and fair elections under an autonomous election commission and neutral government of national consensus, and without a gagged and silent media, none of this possible," said Rehman.●