Govt suspends changes in Pemra Ordinance
The News-June 07, 2007
ISLAMABAD: 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.
Source: The News
Date:6/7/2007
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