Country's Editors vow to struggle for the restoration of independent media

In the face of a hardened stand adopted by the federal government, the All Pakistan Newspapers Society, Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE), and journalists unions are adamant to continue their joint struggle till the withdrawal of the controversial and much-criticised Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) ordinance.

President General Pervez Musharraf on November 27 had promulgated the amended Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Ordinance 2007. The ordinance was issued just two days before the commencement of a National Assembly session. The move virtually undid some of the major provisions of a law passed by the parliament three months ago after a two-year debate and consultations with the stakeholders.

Some 10 amendments were made to the PEMRA (Amendment) Act passed in February this year. An amended sub-section (5) of Section 29 reads: “Provided further that the Authority or the chairman may seize a broadcast or distribution service equipment or seal the premises which is operating illegally or (in) contravention of orders passed under Section 30.”

A new provision -- Section 39 (A) -- even authorized PEMRA to make rules and regulations on its own from time to time by simply issuing notifications. It says: “The Authority may, by notification in the official gazette, make regulations, not inconsistent with the ordinance and the rules made there under, to provide for all matters for which provision is necessary or expedient for carrying out the purposes of this ordinance.”

Sub-section (4) in Section 30 of the law says: “License of a broadcast media may be suspended on any of the grounds specified in sub-section (1), by a duly constituted committee comprising members of the Authority."

Under the amended ordinance, PEMRA has been given powers to seal any building from where it believes the illegal transmission is aired. It also has the power to cancel the license of any TV channel and can forfeit the broadcasting equipment for the said reason.

President Musharraf had issued the original PEMRA Ordinance on March 1, 2002, to establish a body to regulate the electronic media. The National Assembly passed the law on May 17, 2005, with some amendments in the form of a bill (the PEMRA Amendment Bill).

The original law had provided for a three-member committee -- one nominee each from a licensee and PEMRA, and a retired judge of a high court or the Supreme Court -- to recommend cancellation of a license after receiving complaints.

Later, the PEMRA proposed an amendment seeking abolition of this committee, but the move was opposed by media organisations, forcing parliament to replace the committee with a council of complaints (yet to be constituted) whose opinion was once again declared necessary before the revocation of a license.

Similarly, through another amendment to the original ordinance, PEMRA attempted to make violation of the ordinance a cognizable offence and suggested special powers to police to arrest broadcast journalists and licensees without warrant on charges of `repeat violations’.

Interestingly, the National Assembly passed the amendment, ignoring the protests by media bodies, which later ran a campaign to stop the passage of the bill by the Senate.

Pakistan’s newly born TV channels witnessed the lethal impact of this ordinance on November 3, 2007 when a panicked General Musharraf imposed state of emergency in the country, suspending various civil rights, sacking the top judges, and arresting thousands of political activists and lawyers.
The transmissions of almost all the TV channels were suspended on November 3 as the security agencies threatened the cable operators all over the country to act accordingly, or have their licenses cancelled.

The government restored the transmission of these channels when they agreed to sign an agreement under the amended PEMRA ordinance, however, the three big channels, ARY, Aaj, and Geo resisted much longer.

But understandably, the ARY, and Aaj had to sign the agreement agreeing not to air various talk shows, which according to the government , were “crossing the limits”. Contrary to its track record, Geo owned by Jang group still sticks to its guns and is not ready to sign the controversial agreement triggering a wave of protests nationally and internationally.

The government has objections to three talk shows, and their anchors i.e. Capital Talk of Hamid Mir, Live with Talat Hussein, and Jawabdeh of Iftikhar Ahmad. The government circles blame that these three anchors had been following a “personal agenda “aimed at maligning the government.

In their exclusive conversation with Weekly Pulse the members of Council for all Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) slammed curbs against media and the Pemra ordinance. They demanded restoration of the Constitution and withdrawal of emergency against media and judiciary. 
Extracts of their comments regarding the government’s unwarranted action against the spirit of freedom of expression are as follows:

ISLAMABAD/ RAWALPINDI

Salim Bokhari
Editor, The News, Islamabad
All these measures, including PEMRA Ordinance and the so-called Code of Conduct, are anti-press freedom laws. It is an attempt to suppress whatever freedom is being enjoyed by both the print and electronic media. Claim of the government that it has bestowed freedom on media can be well judged by the facts that they have to come out with such stringent laws. The present level of press freedom is achieved by the journalists through struggle. Outside Pakistan, these actions/measures are being terms as ‘draconian laws.’ It is high time that the working journalists and the owners of print and electronic media joined hands to protect the existing level of press freedom. Their unity and struggle may force the authorities to review these laws. Failing this, the dream of press freedom would never be translated into reality.

Rana Qaisar
Resident Editor
Daily Times, Islamabad
The freedom of media in Pakistan is not a gift of an individual or a government to this nation. It is a result of a long struggle and sacrifices of working journalists. The arbitrary laws to contain media will never serve any purpose. The media in Pakistan, by and large, is as responsible as any other pillar of the state. The media laws and a code of conduct must be made in consultation with all media organisations and journalists' bodies.

Tariq Warsi
Veteran Journalist
Government’s claims for granting independence to media have been proved false. Government wants a controlled media. But it is not possible. It is the responsibility of media men to present only truth. Military ruler should now realize that media couldn’t be unduly influenced. Government should lift restrictions on media prior to elections, so that media can give appropriate coverage to every political party.

Zameer Nafees
Editor Asas
It is a matter of fact that every government did its best to monopolize the media. President Musharraf, on several occasions, claimed for the independence of media, but he failed to rationalize his claims. Pakistani media was functioning with full responsibility, but this professional responsibility has irked government.

Abdul Wadood Qureshi
Editor Jinnah
Media community will never accept black laws of the government. Government is pressing owners of the private-run media to broadcast its favourite programmes. At this particular moment, electronic and print media are producing fact-based work. Government should withdraw unconstitutional PCO and PEMRA amended Ordinance immediately. The collaboration between APNS, CPNE and media Unions is very important to shove the launched struggle of media fraternity ahead.
It is the dire need of time to sort out black sheep from our community and put them on mat.

Javed Siddique
Resident Editor Nawa-i-Waqt
Government’s restrictions on media are not matching with ground realities. We condemn imposed limitations on media. President, Prime Minister, and other associates of the government tried to get the credit for granting independence to media. After the incident of 9 March, government, in its confusion, attacked on media. Private-run TV channels should also show responsibility, and should not air unconfirmed news. Interestingly, Indian songs, without any censorship, are being televised, which are afflicting the character of our young generation. Being a Muslim, it is our responsibility to check obscenity. Government should obliterate all anti-media laws. As, the constitution of 1973 protects the freedom of media.

Shakeel Turabi
Chief Editor SANA News
It is our bad luck that almost every ruler tried to coercive media in one-way or another. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was the champion of democracy, also struggled to control the media. Similar episode can be traced out during Zia regime. Again, democratic premiers, Mian Nawaz Sharif and Mss Bhutto, during their terms, followed similar policies. But, incumbent government broke all set records and became unparallel in this regard.
Security agencies take away journalists and torture them through different means. Last year, media associate Hayat Ullah was murdered and later on, his wife was also. I, myself, underwent through such ordeal. Incumbent government has hatched plan to monopolize upcoming elections and restricted media is an integral part of this strategy. But, we are committed with our struggle for the independence of media.  

Farooq Faisal
Dunya TV
The promulgation of PEMRA ordinance and code of conduct is tantamount to enforce doctrine of might is right in 21st century. President Musharraf will enjoy no more the previous position after doffing the uniform. The popular revulsion will sweep him away from the political scene. General Musharraf will not be able to stay in the corridors of power being civilian president more than three months. The ongoing protest movement being launched by the journalists against the dictatorship will succeed like the past movements.

Rana Tahir
Resident Editor  Daily Jang
Government should withdraw the PEMRA ordinance forthwith and code of conduct be evolved in consultation with APNS and all stakeholders. Government should take steps to ensure freedom of press.

Shoaib Bhutta
Editor Daily Tullu
President General Pervez Musharraf in fact has issued charge sheet against the journalists through promulgation of PEMRA ordinance to prolong his unconstitutional and illegal rule. It has been made binding on the private channels by the government not to transmit some programs but the TV channels are relaying tickers of these program and they recall restrictions imposed in Ayub regime on press when the newspapers used to leave the space for news blank to mark their protest against censorship.

Aslam Khan
Editor  Inter News
Government has tried to dub media enemy of nation through enforcement of code of conduct. Those behind the formulation of these black laws would vanish into the pages of history. Rulers can no longer suppress the voice of truth. The journalists will continue to uphold truth being their prime responsibility and constitutional right. Journalists are very patriotic and are responsible segment of society. It is General Musharraf who has committed misconduct by staying army chief in sheer defiance of constitutional norms.

LAHORE

Jamil Athar
Senior Vice President CPNE
Editor Daily ‘Jurat’
With the promulgation of the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) all television channels were shut down. The issuance of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Ordinance left the 160 million people of Pakistan disappointed. The action against the independent judiciary has left without any hope for justice. Pakistan’s civil society will continue efforts for the restoration of the basic rights and will sacrifice whatever it can for the cause. CPNE and APNS will be in the frontline in this cause.

Sajjad Bokhari
Deputy Secretary Information APNS
Editor Daily Masawaat
Imposition of emergency denies public its right of access to information. The media under such circumstances is pressed to act according to the wishes of the ruling and is pressurized to distort information and facts.
People and the media has refused to accept the ban on press by the government under the emergency. The people have raised their voice against this and this has practically taken the form of a movement. These media curbs have also distorted the image of the country at the international level.

Mujibur Rehman Shami
Editor Daily Pakistan
Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of press. There cant be a democracy without freedom of press. Government must immediately withdraw emergency, restore Constitution and lift curbs on media. There is a code of conduct that should be followed. We demand that the curbs on media should be lifted forthwith.

Athar Masood
Editor Daily Jinnah
Curbs on media are nothing new in the history of the country. There is no doubt that media was given unprecedented freedom under this government. Our media industry has faced problems of lack of training and professional background. Media persons must sit together to chalk out a framework as what they should write and what not. I believe that crossing all limits is not correct. As curry favour is wrong so is suppressing truth. We need to keep everything in mind. I think that we need to stay within professional limits. The curbs on media after giving it the freedom is not appreciable.

Imtinan Shahid
Vice President APNS
Editor Daily Khabrain
There are problems with media organisations as well. Two days before the imposition of emergency APNS meeting was held that attended by ministers. A lot of protest was done on the media curbs. The journalists took a collective stand. In the meeting we informed the authorities that in 1962 the IPL was stricter. Letters and notices were sent to the newspapers. Pakistan is passing through a critical period and it would have been better if the government had taken media into confidence. The advice to the president regarding curbs on media was wrong though the president wants to see an independent media. Being a journalist we need to follow our limits. A journalist must not become part of a party. We are responsible people and Pakistan is our first priority.

Ali Chaudhry
Editor Urdupoint.com
Pressurizing media is nothing new in Pakistan. In every period media has been put under pressure. Today print media has been replaced by TV channels and online newspapers. Firstly the cable operators were stopped from airing channels and then the Internet companies were asked to block websites. In the difficult times we have continued to run our website. After the imposition of emergency judiciary and media were closed. After all what is our crime? We strongly condemn the curbs on media and we will continue our struggle. These little problems will not stop us.

Mumtaz Tahir
Vice President CPNE
Editor Daily Aftab
The recent curbs on media are synonymous to attack on freedom of expression. Especially the ban on Geo and other channels, ban on Jang group’s advertisements, police torture on journalists has damaged the government’s reputation. Under the prevailing circumstances all the government claims of holding free, fair and transparent polls have proven hollow. All curbs on media must be immediately withdrawn so that a conducive environment for holding of polls is created.

Majeed Nizami
Editor Daily Nawa-e-Waqt
As editor Nawa-e-Waqt I have been working for the past 45 years. I stand witness to the curbs by Bhutto, Zia and Ayub Khan. We faced problems during Benazir and Nawaz tenure regarding freedom of press. All my life I have only lived as a journalist. To bring news to the reader is the duty of a journalist. Being an editor I understand that it is my duty to provide information to the reader and I believe that a journalist must be willing to sacrifice all that is possible for this end. Nawa-e-Waqt always paid a price in terms of bans on its advertisements.

Arif Nizami
President CPNE
Editor The Nation
The present curbs on media are unprecedented and are stricter than the infamous laws during Ayub’s era. Today the rulers raise slogans of freedom of expression but on the other hand emergency has brought us the ‘gift’ of curbs on media. It is just like switching power off. We condemn the ban on Geo and on the advertisements of the Jang group. There is a sword that is hanging on our heads. This period is critical. All the working journalists are protesting the curbs on media. Owners of newspapers, magazines, news agencies and electronic media too are worried. We need to act rational rather than acting emotional. We need to effort for the withdrawal of black laws. We don’t just have to rely on resolutions rather we have to take practical measures. We need to cooperate to form a strong pressure group. We need to muster effective resistance otherwise we will have to bear the repercussions.

QUETTA

Syed Fasih Iqbal
Senior journalist and editor
Daily Balochistan Times, Zamana
Constitution has envisaged and protected right to perform their duties with full freedom for working journalists. Government has suppressed all constitutional rights by becoming a party.  PEMRA ordinance, emergency and curbs imposed on the media should be lifted. This is an information age and no one can be prevented from acquiring and exchanging information. Government should take steps to ensure access to information.

Waseem Ahmad
Member executive committee PNS and Editors Council
Attempts have been made to gag the newspapers and TV channels though this black law and it will not be tolerated at any cost. Media is well cognizant of its limits and the rulers should also demonstrate courage to tolerate the criticism. No compromise can be made on the struggle being waged against this draconian law.

Lala Siddique Baloch
Editor
Daily Azadi/Balochistan Express
PEMRA ordinance is a bid to muffle the right to freedom of expression and voice of truth. But this voice cannot be stifled in the present age. All the steps being taken by the incumbent unconstitutional and illegal rulers are alien to constitution. The way the media and civil society members are raising voice against it is laudable.

Anwar Sajdi
Editor
Daily Intikhab
This is not first ever bid to gag freedom of press. Erstwhile rulers had also been making such attempts. Press publication ordinance promulgated in general Ayub Khan regime was a similar draconian law. Such black laws stand revoked in all other countries but unfortunately we are still under the grip of these laws. The steps taken by general Musharraf with respect to imposition of curbs on media are ultra constitutional.

Niamat ullah Achakzai
The chief Editor
Daily Duniya
PEMRA Ordinance was sheer unconstitutional and undemocratic to restrict media and freedom of speech, which was unacceptable under any cost.

Raza ur Rehman,
Resident Editor
Daily Century Express
PEMRA Ordinance is a black law, and is defilement of freedom of press and media, especially in the present century. All the journalist fraternity strongly denounces these black laws and would continue its struggle against them until they are abolished.

Rana Maqbool Ahmad,
Editor 
Daily Aasaap
PEMRA Ordinance has damaged the integrity of freedom of press and Media, something a civilized society should eschew and rather abhor, and such undemocratic and unconstitutional endeavours, should be eschewed.

Syed Kamran Mumtaz
Editor
Daily Mashriq
No civilized society can respect or vouch for such kind of derogatory Ordinances, since a free media was a mirror of democracy, while media should also play its part responsibly for the betterment of socio-political environment of its country.
There should be no criticism for criticism’s sake, and government should immediately end its restriction over press and media and allow the resumption of transmissions of private media channels forthwith.

Nadir Hussain
Editor
Daily “Himmat”
Such derogatory Ordinances like PEMRA’s not only harm the socio-political environment of a country, but also portray a negative image of that country globally. 

Danayal Waseem
Editor Daily Public
The unconstitutional ruler is trying to curb the freedom of speech, but he would not succeed in his nefarious intension. Today, the whole nation is committed to fight against every undemocratic step taken by the military-backed ruler.

Syed Farooq Shah
Editor, Daily Independent
Unconstitutional steps hatch mistrust among societies, and rulers lose the support of civic society.

Mujeeb Ahmad
President of Balochistan Union of Journalists
Media fraternity will continue its struggle till the independence of media.

KARACHI

Mukhtar Aqil
Editor-in-Chief Daily Jurrat
The PEMRA ordinance, whether amended or original aims to gag the voice of dissent in the society. It seems if the government has lost the courage to listen the voice of dissent. I have no reluctance to admit that we may commit mistakes, but it doesn't mean that the government has the right to snatch the press freedom through such dictatorial steps. There are ordinary laws, under which media people can be tried if they have done anything wrong. We don't want any special treatment.

Naseer Hashmi
Editor daily Ummat
We neither accept the original nor the amended PEMRA Ordinance. Journalists are not supernatural so that they should be treated under separate laws. If there is any charge of grievance against them, they should be treated under penal code of Pakistan.
As far as ethics are concerned, it is not meant for journalists only.  First of all, the rulers are bound to ethics. In my opinion, journalists by and large do take care of ethics. If there is something wrong, then we should be treated as per ordinary laws. We don’t demand anything exclusive for us.
Journalists will uphold the media freedom by carrying out their professional duties objectively in the interest of public and country.

Sabihuddin Ghousi
President Karachi Press Club
The government after penetrating the political and business spheres, the military establishment is now encroaching media through recently introduced coercive measures to blackmail and harass the owners of media organisations and journalists.

This is a draconian ordinance, which is only meant to influence the owners of media institutions to stop them from independently running their institutions and objectively reporting of events.
All the previous governments had traditionally been pressurizing the media for their benefits but the present regime has a distinction as it had a full support from the military establishment, which after encroaching other institutions in the country had now started to encroach the media.

The military establishment has become a biggest political force, corporate entity and the influential powerful group in the country, so whosoever resists to such corporate interests and encroachments will be facing serious challenges like media has been facing adding that the life threats, kidnapping, beating, banning of advertisements, closure of channels and newspapers, terminations and so many such tactics were being applied to stop media from independent reporting.
A hard time is coming for media in future, therefore it is high time for us to determine our future role as no media body had been recognised by the government, which was talking of only owners and representatives of the media.

The present crises with media which worsened with the introduction of PEMRA amended ordinance basically started on March 9, when the president filed a reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, and the following events particularly when the media exposed May 12 events in Karachi which claimed several lives and took place.

Tahir Najmi
Editor Daily Express
After March 9, the government realized that the media was getting out of its control and resorting to different controlling measures such as banning the TV transmission on cable networks, closing down the cable networks and threading the journalists and even harassing and torturing them.
If the newspaper owners had taken a united and tough stand at that time, the situation would not have worsened to that extent. They took that very lightly as the government under a calculated ploy gave unprecedented liberty to the news channels in order to woo the owners (newspaper) not to protest over the original ordinance. Now, when, the government felt that it is a good time to tighten the nose around media.

I am in favour of setting up of a body, no matter under which name, but there must a forum where grievances against media can be heard and resolved. The “body” should be set up by the journalists themselves.

Tariq Abul Hassan,
President Karachi Union of Journalists (D)
This is a bogus ordinance, which has everything except logic. Whenever governments face crises, media comes under fire. This time it is facing more pressure because of imminent general elections.
Arrests and torture are aimed at bullying the journalist community into fear, but I would like make it clear that we will not be cowed down by these cowardly attempts, and will continue our struggle against this draconian law. 

Dr Jabbar Khattak
Editor-in-Chief Daily Awami Waz
Vice President APNS
This is simply a detrimental ordinance. When this ordinance was promulgated in its original form, the APNS, CPNE, media organizations, and civil society did not take it serious. If they had taken it serious, the government trumpet blowing about freedom of press and expression would have been exposed much earlier. This is an ordinance under which, the PEMRA offices were acting like police stations, but after the amendments, it (ordinance) has clipped whatever freedom was left. The press freedom is over now. Under this amended ordinance, the government will allow only those programmes, comments, and talk shows, which help maintain the status quo.

Muddassar Mirza
Deputy Editor Daily Jang Karachi
This ordinance is another sequel of notorious press and publication ordinance, which was annulled by former Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo in 1986 in the wake of a long-drawn struggle launched by the journalists organizations. I don’t agree when General Musharraf says that he has given the freedom of press.

I would say he has not given the press freedom at his will, but because he was compelled by an atmosphere created by the journalists struggle and an overwhelming development in IT sector. General had no other option left; otherwise military dictators do not give freedom to press.
The time has come when the journalist community will have to get united, and launch a joint struggle against this ordinance. We should not expect that our struggle would yield the desired results within days.

We should remember the movements launched by our seniors, and we were the ones who got the fruit of it.

Athar Hashmi
Editor-in-Chief Daily Jasarat
Some people say that it is not a matter pertaining to print media, therefore it should stay away from that. But I warn those people, that the next is print media’s turn. A similar kind of charter is being prepared for newspapers. By saying this, the government is trying to create differences among journalists. We should be aware of such tactics. It’s not matter of electronic or print media. It is matter of freedom of expression. If we let ourselves singled out, that would be the last day for freedom of press in this country.

PESHAWAR

Syed Ayaz Bacha
Chief Editor
Daily Mashriq and Daily The Statesman
Emergency and media curbs are not good for the country. People of Pakistan are already deprived of their basic rights; particularly citizens in Frontier are mostly the affected one need. In such a state, when emergency is imposed and basic human rights are suspended, it feels we are living in ghost state. The policy adopted by the present regime with the media and judiciary is literally unprecedented. As a good will gesture, emergency should be lifted immediately and media be given complete freedom to show the truth as it is the right of the people of the country, who at one time given complete exposure to the media and the facility withdrawn because it was not in the interest of General Musharraf. Ban on media also resented by the media watchdog all over the world and it has tarnished the image of the country.

Abdul Wahid Yousafi
Chief Editor
Daily AAJ
Ever since the proclamation of emergency the political parties demonstrating their impotence during the last eight years of authoritarian rule, find themselves between devil and deep sea. Every section of civil society particularly lawyers, journalists, students are up in arms against the draconian steps taken by the regime to gag the media, to arrest and thrash brutally the lawyers and journalists protesting peacefully against the emergency, suspension of basic human rights and removal and putting under house arrest judges of Supreme Court. But surprisingly the political parties now find themselves landed between a rock and a hard place in the wake of announcement of election schedule.

The dilemma faced by the parties is whether to take part in the election under emergency or boycott them. It will be a folly on the part of opposition parties to boycott the elections and let the king’s party to hold sway and rig the elections to get two third majorities in the national assembly in order to ensure validation of extra constitutional proclamation of emergency, enforcement of PCO and arbitrary amendments in the constitution.

Qaiser Mahmood Butt
Editor
Daily Siyaq
In fact it is a martial law and even more then martial law. The present situation is very harmful for the country’s future and present as well. General Musharraf has destroyed each and every institution particularly Supreme Court and parliament to perpetuate his unconstitutional, illegal and immoral rule. In real terms press has suffered the most after the imposition of martial law style emergency, which is highly condemnable.

Mohammad Zahid Elahi
Chief Editor
Daily Siyaq
Its martial law and interest of one person is imposing over the whole nation. The present situation is completely against the interest of the whole nation. There is no hope that things will improve under the emergency rule. We have a very bad image in the international community due to the suspension of the basic human rights. Though, the track record of our former rulers too of looters and plunderers but at least they do not impose ban on the freedom of speech. The curbs on media are extremely painful despite that we have the free media act.

Mohammad Irshad
News Editor
Daily Mashriq
With the enforcement of emergency, the curbs on media imposed through an amendment. Writing truth is now hard, as the District Coordinators officers of Deputy Commissioners have right to cancel the declaration of the newspaper if it goes against the policy of the government. The amendment in the press ordinance is like a sword hanging on the press freedom. The media has been barred from writing against the head of the state, Pakistan Army, Judiciary, executive and legislature.

Sohail Qalandar
Resident Editor
Daily Express
This emergency has wrongly been named as emergency in my opinion, actually   it is a full fledge Marshal Law, because the proclaiming authority of this so-called emergency is the chief of Army staff which make the imposition of this so-called emergency al together unconstitutional by with out any legal jurisdiction. As the matter of fact it is discretion of president under article 232 to imposed emergency. Any person other than president can’t clamp Constitutional emergency.
The Nation has been blind folded by military dictator who wants to deprive the common man of his fundamental right to access to information. if media curbs are not lifted immediately it will further worsen the already deteriorated constitutional , judicial and  political crises begun in the country.
 
Ashraf Dar
Chief Editor
Daily Awamun Nas
The imposition of emergency presents a negative look for civilised societies as all the basic human rights are suspended during the emergency and it stopped the society to go for development. Also curbs on media are just like to close eyes and ears of the people, who learnt truth from media reports. Considering journalism is forth pillar of a society, government should stop advising the media and allow it to show fact to the people, as it is their basic right.

Ishfaq Ahmad Mufti
Editor,
Daily Ilhaq
With the imposition of second time emergency, general Musharraf has lost all its credibility, which he earned during the last few years. There is no example of damaging the country’s image with curbs on media. Both the suspension of basic human rights and restrains on media has tarnished the image of Pakistan in International community. It is direly needed to take measures for lifting both the emergency and ban on media.

Aamir Latif from Karachi, Imtiaz Hussain from Peshawar, Mian Muhammad Nadeem from Lahore, Irfan Saeed from Quetta and Fahad Chaudhry from Islamabad contributed to this report.