Saturday, April 12, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 5,1429    

Bill to amend PEMRA Ord presented in NA: Sherry

Islamabad—The government Friday moved to lift harsh restrictions on the media as Information Minister Sherry Rehman introduced a parliamentary bill proposing an end to curbs on live broadcasts, cancellations of licences and confiscation of equipment. Government tabled Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) amendment bill in National Assembly, which was sent to concerned parliamentary committee for further proceedings.

Addressing a news conference Sherry Rehman called the bill “a gift from democratic government to the media”.

“The amendments will remove the entire apparatus of restrictions imposed on the press,” Rehman told reporters outside the national assembly.

She said it is the first step and promised revolutionary change in government’s relations with the media.

“We will put our own house in order and we will allow the press to broadcast not just live telecast but all that they feel fit to broadcast,” she said.

Rehman said 10 clauses included in the ordinance to gag the media being removed through the new legislation.

Earlier, a bill to amend the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Ordinance, was tabled in the National Assembly.

The Bill - The Pakistan Electronic Media RegulatoryAuthority (Amendment) Bill, 2008 - was introduced by FederalMinister for Information and Broadcasting Ms. Sherry Rehman.

Sherry Rahman tabled the bill in the house today to undo media curbs imposed under a state of emergency in last November.

Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Friday informed that the resolution seeking investigation of the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto from United Nations (UN) would be tabled in the Lower House next week.

Talking to media persons outside the Parliament House before the start of National Assembly session, he said the reported meeting of Attorney General with MQM Quaid in London is not an appropriate step.

Responding to a question, the Minister said his party would not contest the decision of the committee set up for the restoration of deposed judges of superior judiciary.