PAKISTAN: Government holds off media curbs

Ministers meet at delegation to discuss the country's widespread discontent with the media ordinance

Dawn
Thursday, June 7, 2007

[AsiaMedia summary of Dawn coverage of ongoing protests against Pakistan's media ordinance: Journalists were barred from covering the National Assembly while debate on the controversial media ordinance was scuttled in the Balochistan Assembly. The European Union and European Commission expressed concern over media curbs while thousands in Lahore protested on The Mall. Lawyers in Quetta and Nawabshah boycotted courts and bar associations committed to challenging the media law in Peshawar High Court. Journalists observed a black day in Islamabad and Karachi, rallied in Lahore, throughout the North-West Frontier Province and across Sindh.]

Government holds off media curbs

By Ahmed Hassan

Islamabad --- The government's decision to suspend implementation of the Pemra Ordinance 2007 promulgated by president on June 4 evolved mixed reaction on Thursday and some media personnel described it as government's retreat under tremendous pressure generated by nationwide protests.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had held a marathon meeting in Islamabad with the top media executives on Wednesday night to discuss the concern expressed by various media bodies across the country over the promulgation of amended Pemra ordinance.

Among others, the meeting was attended by the chairman of Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), Mir Shakilur Rahman, president of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Hameed Haroon, APNS secretary general Mohammad Aslam Kazi, and Arif Nizami also of the APNS.

The government side was represented by federal Minister for Information Mohammad Ali Durrani, Secretary Information Syed Anwar Mahmood and PML secretary general Mushahid Hussain Syed.

The delegation of the PBA and APNS argued that the ordinance had caused countrywide resentment among the people. They demanded withdrawal of the ordinance.

Both sides agreed that the ordinance promulgated on June 4 would be reviewed in totality by a six-member committee comprising three members, one each from PBA, APNS and the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and three senior government officials from the federal Ministry of Information, Ministry of Law and Pemra.

The government will abide by the decision of the committee which will submit its report to the prime minister soon.

The prime minister assured the media delegation that all actions in this regard would be taken in a spirit of mutual tolerance and in accordance with principles of justice.

The report of the committee will explore all alternatives and options or a modified ordinance with attendant rules and regulations.

The prime minister reiterated the commitment of President General Pervez Musharraf and the government to preserve, protect and promote free media in the country.

It was agreed that the report of the committee would be submitted to the prime minister within the shortest possible time. Till such time, the proceedings under the Pemra Amendment Ordinance, 2007, will not be initiated against electronic media.

Journalists barred from parliament

By Raja Asghar

Islamabad --- An angry National Assembly speaker barred journalists from parliament on Thursday in a show of insensitivity to their protests against new media curbs and what critics called the regime's desperation in the face of a democratic movement spurred by the prevailing judicial crisis.

It was another first in Pakistan's parliamentary history as Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain was quoted to have ordered his staff not to let journalists enter the parliament building to cover Thursday's sitting of the National Assembly in what seemed to be a reprisal for a previous day's unprecedented incident when they chanting slogans from the press gallery had scuffles with non-journalists who allegedly tried to undermine their protest walkout by occupying reporters' seats.

Only members of the state media -- the Pakistan Television, Radio Pakistan and the Associated Press of Pakistan -- were allowed entry to cover the second day's proceedings of the present lower house's last budget session in its fifth year whose opening day on Wednesday was marked by protests by journalists and the opposition against a newly-promulgated Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) (Amendment) Ordinance providing for easier and harder punishments for perceived violations of the original Pemra law.

All journalists from newspapers, private television channels and other domestic and foreign news organisations were not allowed entry when they arrived at the parliament building for the scheduled 10am start of the National Assembly sitting. But they stayed on outside under a scorching sun, often chanting slogans such as "we want freedom" and "Pemra Ordinance na-manzoor (unacceptable)" whenever a government minister or other assembly members would come and drive into the parliament premises.

Zia's ruthlessness recalled: There was an angry exchange of remarks between Religious Affairs Minister Mohammad Ejaz-ul-Haq and some protesters who recalled the ruthlessness of his father Gen Mohammad Ziaul Haq's military regime that even ordered flogging of some of the non-conformist journalists.

Never before journalists were barred en masse from parliament in nearly 60 years of Pakistan's life -- even under long military ruler periods of Field Marshal Ayub Khan (1958-69) and General Zia (1977-88) while the National Assembly elected under General Yahya Khan (1969-71) could not meet before the end of his regime with the fall of former East Pakistan.

"The press gallery is closed today," a National Assembly press official told Dawn when asked for reasons of journalists being stopped by the security staff from entering the building.

The security staff had lists of names of state media staff who only could be allowed in.

Several opposition members came to voice support for the protesting journalists before driving into the building and during an opposition protest walkout that they said also broke quorum forcing a rare suspension of proceedings during the question hour of the house, which was later adjourned until 10am on Friday, when the journalists are likely to be issued fresh entry passes in revised list.

PPP secretary-general Raja Pervez Ashraf, while assuring his party's support for the journalists' cause, quoted Law and Justice Minister Mohammad Wasi Zafar as saying inside the house that "those protesting at the (building) gate are not journalists but ghundas (hooligans)" -- remarks that were greeted with cries of "shame, shame" from the protesters.

Some other opposition members, including PML-N's Tehmina Daultana and MMA's Farid Ahmad Piracha, confirmed that the law minister used these remarks as they voiced solidarity with the protesters and condemned what they called as desperate behaviour of the regime.

HRCP support: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) secretary-general Iqbal Haider, who came to reassure HRCP's support to the journalists' cause, described the new ordinance as "barbaric, illegal and immoral" and called the bar on parliamentary reporters "the worst attack on the freedom of press".

He said the house speaker's orders negated the people's right to know and the assembly members' right to let their constituencies know what they were doing in the house.

Mr Haider, a former law minister, compared the present rulers' position to the proverbial "bull in the china shop" out to destroy every institution to retain power.

PA debate on Pemra ordinance scuttled

By Amanullah Kasi

Quetta --- Deputy Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, who chaired the proceeding of the Balochistan Assembly on Thursday, did not allow debate on an adjournment motion tabled by the opposition leader despite backing from the MMA ministers.

Opposition Leader Kachkol Ali's motion regarding the suspension of private TV channels, cases against working journalists and government threats to Geo TV's Dr Shahid was admitted on June 5.

Provincial ministers Maulana Abdul Wasay, Maulana Wahid Siddique and Maulana Ataullah did not agree with the chair that the motion could not be discussed since the matter was subjudice and said that if the issue of the chief justice that was pending before the Supreme Court could be discussed in the house then why could one not debate the threats to journalists.

Initially, the deputy speaker said that the motion could not be debated as the movers were not present in the house. Maulana Wasay said the motion was now the property of the house and, therefore, discussion should be permitted.

But the chair stated that the rules of assembly did not permit him to allow discussion on the issue since it was subjudice and prorogued the session sine die.

Earlier, opposition members during the question hour session staged a walk out from the house to express solidarity with journalists protesting at the main gate of the assembly against government policy to curb the media.

Later, opposition members Mr Kachkol, Abdur Rahim Ziaratwal and Shafique Ahmed in a press conference condemned the deputy speaker's act of sabotaging the motion.

They said that the military ruler had make tall claims of being champions of democracy, liberalism, toleration and moderation but in practice he had made the parliament a rubber stamp, humiliated the judiciary, muzzled press freedom and deprived people of their fundamental and democratic rights.

They said the government was perturbed by the reaction of people over the filing of a presidential reference against the chief justice and the Karachi violence, adding that the government had lost all its options to sideline the opposition parties and lawyers.

They said that if the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal ministers extended cooperation then the opposition members would requisite the session of the provincial assembly to reintroduce the motion that was bulldozed by the deputy speaker.

EU, EC express concern over media curbs

Islamabad --- The European Union (EU) and the European Commission (EC) have expressed their concern over the present state of media freedom and rising cases of intimidation of journalists in Pakistan.

In a statement here on Thursday, the heads of the missions of the EU and the EC in Islamabad said they were "concerned over recent setbacks with regard to media freedom in particular reports about blocked transmissions of licensed cable TV stations and about cases of intimidation of journalists." They said: "These developments are of particular concern in view of the upcoming general elections."

They welcomed the government's decision to suspend the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Ordinance 2007 and expressed their confidence that further steps would be taken to "safeguard a political climate in which freedom of expression" and media was respected, which was conducive to free and fair elections.

They said that they attached great importance to freedom of expression and freedom of the media as crucial elements for a successful democratic process.

In the last few years, they have had reason to welcome the development of a diverse and vibrant media environment in the country.

Thousands throng The Mall: Protest against reference, curbs on media

Lahore --- Thousands of lawyers, political workers and civil society activists thronged The Mall for the fourth consecutive week on Thursday to protest presidential reference against Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Holding placards and banners inscribed with their demands and anti-Musharraf slogans, a large number of lawyers attended the protest rally, boycotting court proceedings at Aiwan-i-Adl and then took to The Mall at 11am where they were joined by workers of PPP, PML-N, MMA, Tehrik-i-Insaaf, Labour Party, Khaksar Tehrik, and activists of NGOs like Women's Action Forum, as well as members of various teachers' and students' unions.

At GPO Chowk, they were also joined by High Court Bar members. The protesters then marched up to the Charing Cross under the sizzling sun where leaders of Lahore High Court Bar Association, Lahore Bar Association and political parties addressed them.

The large-scale arrests of opposition parties' leaders and workers seemed to have on effect on the number of protesters.

Prominent among the speakers were Ahsan Bhoon, Muhammad Shah, Liaqat Baloch, Omar Sarfaraz Cheema, Farzana Raja and Mian Marghoob.

The speakers vowed to continue their movement until it reached its `logical end'. They saw the curbs imposed on the media as a sign of confusion among the rulers and success of the ongoing movement for independence of judiciary.

They also showed solidarity with journalists protesting against the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (amendment) Ordinance 2007.

Lawyers, activists and members of the public were seen adopting novel modes of protest, while some politicians were using the occasion for self-promotion.

A senior lawyer was seen dragging a copy of Pemra Ordinance on the road during the rally, where burning of an effigy of Gen Musharraf has become a permanent activity.

Khaksar Tehrik used to bring out a funeral of the army government at the weekly protest which was missing this time.

Lahore PPP leader Samiullah Khan had got his photograph printed in the middle of the party flags being waved by some party activists. Some others were carrying flags with names of Haji Azizur Rahman Chan and Zafar Masood Bhatti printed thereon.

Earlier, a general body meeting of the LHCBA unanimously adopted a resolution tabled by its president Ahsan Bhoon. The resolution termed Pemra Ordinance unconstitutional and undemocratic, saying the lawyers rejected the 'black law'.

Arrests of political activists were also condemned through the resolution and lawyers vowed to continue their movement till elimination of dictatorship from the country.

SCBA: The Supreme Court Bar Association has condemned the promulgation of Pemra (Amendment) Ordinance and decided to challenge it in the apex court.

SCBA Vice-President Sahibzada Anwar Hamid said in a statement that the restrictions imposed on the electronic media through the amendments to Pemra Ordinance were mala fide and were in conflict with Article 19 of the Constitution which guaranteed freedom of press and expression.

The SCBA had constituted a team of lawyers headed by Sahibzada to file a petition against the ordinance under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution in the Supreme Court.

Lawyers protest against Pemra

Quetta --- Lawyers on Thursday boycotted court proceedings in the city in protest against a new ordinance curbing freedom of the electronic media.

They took out a procession from the district court bar room and gathered outside the press club.

The lawyers torched copies of the amended Pemra ordinance and cautioned that if the government did not withdraw the black law, they would lay siege on the Pemra office in Islamabad.

Pakistan Bar Council vice-chairman Ali Ahmed Kurd and Baz Mohammad Kakar, president of the Balochistan Bar Association, said that lawyers would never accept curbs on the media which exposed excesses and injustices of the government.

Referring to the May 12 killings in Karachi and the promulgation of the Pemra ordinance, they said that the government was committing one mistake after the other since the filing of reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry in the Supreme Judicial Council.

They said that lawyers, journalists, political parties and people at large had rejected the reference against the chief justice and the promulgation of the Pemra ordinance because both acts were aimed at suppressing independence of the judiciary and freedom of the media.

Lawyers boycott courts

Nawabshah --- Lawyers on the call of Pakistan Bar Council brought out rallies in different parts of Sindh on Thursday to make authorities respect judiciary and allow freedom of expression.

District Bar Association members boycotted courts in Nawabshah by taking out rally and staging demonstrations outside press club.

The rally began from the sessions court and culminated at the Nawabshah Press Club. Protesters carrying banners raised slogans against the government.

The DBA president Ali Mohammad Dahiri, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Hassan Tariq and others said lawyers were united for an independent judiciary and would struggle till the reinstatement of Chief Justice.

They also condemned the government attack on press freedom and termed Pemra Ordinance as black ordinance. They demanded withdrawal of amendments and said lawyers were with journalists on the issue.

Our Naushahro Feroze Correspondent adds: Lawyers in Naushahro Feroze, Kandiaro, Moro and Bhirya boycotted court proceedings and took out rallies.

Lawyers in Naushahro Feroze led by the DBA President Arbab Ali Chandio and the Sindh Bar Council member G.M. Abbasi took out rally from the district court and ended at the press club.

Lawyers in Bhirya led by Abdul Sattar Luhrani took out a rally from court building to the press club.

Our Jacobabad correspondent adds: Lawyers in Jacobabad boycotted court proceedings and took out a rally from the bar office and reached press club. They were carrying banners and placards and raised slogans against the government. They were led by the DBA president Haji Anwar Ali Jakhrani.

Speakers vowed to continue their protest till the reinstatement of Chief Justice and demanded the independence of judiciary.

Bar associations to challenge media law in PHC

Peshawar --- Condemning the recently promulgated Pemra (Amendment) Ordinance 2007, the legal community here on Thursday constituted a seven-member-committee for challenging it before the Peshawar High Court.

The committee was constituted at a joint general body meeting of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association and the Peshawar District Bar Association.

The members of the committee are Barrister Zahoorul Haq, Barrister Masood Kausar, Qazi Mohammad Jamil, Barrister Baacha, Mohammad Arif Khan, Abdul Samad Khan and Sattar Khan.

The PHCBA president, Abdul Lateef Afridi, told the meeting that the committee would coordinate with the journalists' bodies for preparing a petition and filing it in the court.

He said a national conference to discuss the law and order situation in the NWFP and Fata would be held on June 16 at which leaders of major political parties and representatives of different civil society groups would participate. He added that invitations had already been extended to them in this regard.

Mr Afridi said the nation was passing through a defining period of history and the military ruler were taking anti-people steps in panic.

He added that the removal of the present "unconstitutional regime" now required little work.

Meanwhile, the Awami National Party has asked the superior judiciary to take suo moto action against the government's media policies.

In a statement issued on Thursday, ANP's president Asfandyar Wali Khan condemned what he called the unbecoming attitude of the National Assembly's speaker towards protesting journalists on Wednesday.

He said the media people were being subjected to state-sponsored terrorism and high-handedness against them had now become a routine matter. Such tactics against the media gave the impression that the press was chained, he said.

Mr Khan said that in such circumstances, it was the duty of the higher judiciary to play its role by asking the government to explain reasons for such unlawful measures.

According to the Constitution, he said, freedom of expression was one of the basic rights of people, but the way journalists had been treated in the National Assembly was in total contravention of the Constitution.

Journalists observe black day

Islamabad --- Journalists across the country observed a 'black day' on Thursday in protest against the government decision of restricting the electronic media from airing the ongoing judicial crisis and termed the move 'unjustified' and 'black law'.

A large number of journalists wearing armbands held a demonstration outside the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club camp office and raised slogans against fresh curbs on the media.

They were later joined by journalists from Attock, Gujar Khan, Taxila, Chakwal, Murree and adjoining areas. Politicians, lawyers and representatives of civil society organisations also took part in the rally. Foreign media personnel working in Pakistan expressed solidarity with the local journalists.

Office-bearers of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club and Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists threatened to hold a series of protest demonstrations across the country if the government did not withdraw the amended ordinance.

Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) information-secretary Ahsan Iqbal and Pakistan People's Party MNA Nayyar Bukhari also participated in the protest rally.

In Lahore, journalists took out a peaceful procession to condemn restrictions on the media, Pemra ordinance and threats to media personnel. They were joined by lawyers, political parties and civil society organisations.

Wapda workers also held demonstrations in protest against fresh curbs on the electronic media.

Journalists observe 'black day'

Karachi --- Journalists across the city observed a 'black day' on Thursday to condemn violence against media men, 'draconian' laws to curb press freedom and non-implementation of the seventh wage award.

The Karachi Union of Journalists held a protest meeting which was chaired by president Shamim-ur-Rehman and addressed by Karachi Press Club president Sabihuddin Ghousi and secretary Imtiaz Faran, KUJ general- secretary Javed Chaudhry, Maqsood Yusufi, Idrees Bakhtiar, Javed Saba and Omar Asghar.

The 'black day' was observed on a call given by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists. The protesters, belonging to both the print and electronic media, wore black armbands and hoisted black flags atop the KPC building.

They also took out a protest demonstration in which representatives of the legal fraternity and activists of various political parties and civil society organisations took part.

Participants of the demonstration, holding placards and banners, condemned the Pemra Ordinance, curbs on press freedom and injustices with the journalist community. They chanted slogans to demand the restoration of press freedom, an end to the contract system, implementation of the 7th wage award, etc.

The demonstration started from the KPC and ended at the Governor House via Zainab Market, Panorama Centre and Fawara Chowk. At the Governor House, the KUJ chief presented a memorandum to the governor's press secretary. The memorandum strongly condemned curbs on press freedom, attack on journalists and non-implementation of the 7th wage award. It demanded withdrawal of the Pemra laws, maintaining that the draconian laws were aimed at gagging the press, imposing censorship on broadcasters and preventing coverage of the events relating to the presidential reference against the chief justice of Pakistan.

The KUJ noted with concern that the government had failed to arrest those involved in the killing of four journalists last year. It regretted that even the report pertaining to the killing of Hayatullah Khan could not be made public. The journalists reportedly picked up by intelligence agencies were still under threat and feared about their fate, it observed.

The KUJ also expressed concern over the new trend of targeting families of journalists, particularly those working in the tribal areas. The situation had forced several journalists to quit their area of residence or even the profession. The threats, it noted, did not only come from the intelligence agencies, but also from the militant groups.

The KUJ also took exception to the "press release" issued by an ethnic organization that had named certain journalists and columnists as 'chauvinists', and said that such threats were unacceptable to the journalist community.

Journalists also stage rally

Lahore --- A large number of journalists, including women, took out a peaceful procession on The Mall on Thursday to condemn restrictions on media, Pemra Ordinance, arrest of journalists and threats to them.

Leaders of various political parties and representatives of lawyer organisations and NGOs also took part in the procession which was taken out from the Dyal Singh Mansion on the call of the Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ).

Prominent among them were Punjab PPP Secretary-General Ghulam Abbas and Secretary Information Farzana Raja, Punjab MMA President Liaquat Baloch, PML-N's Zaeem Qadri, MPA Dr Asad Ashraf and Khwaja Amer Raza, Khaksar Tehrik President Hameeduddin Mashriqi, Lahore High Court Bar's Secretary Sarfraz Cheema, Save Judiciary Committee's Mian Jamil and Punjab Bar's Khawar Khitana.

No political leader or activist raised any political slogan or delivered speech on the request of the PUJ, but they marched with the journalists till the culmination point to show solidarity with them.

Senior journalists IA Rehman, Husain Naqi and Shafqat Tanvir Mirza were among scores of media men who defied police attempt to block them from marching towards the Governor's House by removing barricades at the Charing Cross.

Another picket near Alhamra was removed by police, allowing the journalists to march towards the Governor's House where they dispersed after listening to brief speeches of some journalists and PUJ and press club representatives.

Carrying placards, banners, black flags and wearing black armbands, the journalists from both print and electronic media raised slogans against the government for imposing restrictions on the press especially private channels through amendments to the Pemra Ordinance.

They also condemned the government for intimidating journalists and registering cases against them. They demanded freedom of the press and implementation of the Wage Award.

Some of the banners and placards read: "Knowing truth is everyone's right", "Access to information is a basic right", "Pemra Ordinance not acceptable", "You have to give the basic freedom", "The struggle will continue till full press freedom", and "Where is the so-called enlightened moderation".

Journalists call for revoking new media law: Protests held throughout NWFP

Peshawar --- Members of the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) on Thursday expressed concern over the promulgation of the Pemra (Amendment) Ordinance 2007 and urged the government to revoke it immediately.

Journalists observed a 'black day' on Thursday on the call of the Federal Union of Journalists against what they called the implementation of draconian government measures that sought to muzzle the press.

Jan Afzal, president of the KhUJ, and Nasir Mohammad, president of the Tribal Union of Journalists, led the protesters. They tried to march towards the Governor's House and the Chief Minister's House but were stopped from going there.

Jan Afzal vowed that journalists would not be intimidated by the government's coercive measures. Terming the amended Pemra ordinance illegal, other speakers described it as a ploy to stifle the press.

On the occasion protesters raised slogans against President Gen Pervez Musharraf and the Pemra ordinance.

President of the High Court Bar Association Abdul Lateef Afridi in his address blamed the government for recent curbs and termed them unlawful, saying that the legal fraternity would fully support journalists.

President of the Tribal Union of Journalists Nasir Mohmand said that the government was restricting the media in desperation, adding that they would fight till the end.

Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal's MNA Shabbir Ahmad Khan, PML-N's provincial vice-president Mohammad Afzal and Rakhshanda Naz of the Aurat Foundation were also present.

Later, unanimous resolutions were passed, demanding of the government to form a committee on the issue of the Pemra ordinance with working journalists among its members and calling for providing security to journalists, enabling them to perform their professional duties without any fear.

Meanwhile, the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party termed the new Pemra ordinance a tool aimed at browbeating the press.

Lakki Marwat: The district chapter of the Lakki Bar Association on Thursday also protested against the restrictions imposed on the media by the government. The legal fraternity of the district boycotted court proceedings.

They took out a rally to condemn the government move and to express solidarity with the community of journalists. Led by Lakki Bar president Mohammad Yaqoob a good number of protesting lawyers marched on the Kachehry road and reached the Kargil chowk.

Their rally turned into a small gathering on the Bannu-Mianwali road. The protesters also chanted slogans against the federal government and President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Haripur: Journalists and lawyers staged a joint demonstration to protest against the amended Pemra ordinance and registration of cases against journalists in Islamabad.

Lawyers boycotted court proceedings and joined the journalists' protest and marched from the district bar hall to the main chowk. Protesters were carrying banners and placards inscribed with anti-government and anti-Pemra slogans.

Political activists of the PPP, PML-N, JI and other political parties joined the protesters, who chanted slogans in favour of freedom of press and independence of the judiciary.

Lawyers said that reference against the Supreme Court Chief Justice, the ban on live TV coverage, new Pemra ordinance and action against journalist was indicative of the government's growing frustration.

Swabi: Journalists in Swabi also observed a 'black day' on Thursday and protested against the government's move to impose sweeping curbs on media.

Journalists hoisted black flags over their offices and wore black arm bands as a mark of protest.

Journalists protest across Sindh against Pemra Ord

Hyderabad --- Journalists across the Sindh province observed protest day on Thursday against the Pemra (amendment) ordinance, restrictions on private TV channels, registration of a case against reporters in Islamabad and issuance of death threats to media men.

Leaders of civil society and lawyers also took part in the rallies to express solidarity with journalists.

In Hyderabad, journalists staged a huge rally, which started from the press club and terminated at the district council building.

The president and general secretary of the club, Shahid Shaikh and Jafar Memon, respectively, leaders of Pakistan and Sindh Bar Councils and District Bar Association Yousuf Leghari, Fazal Qadir Memon, Abdul Sattar Qazi, Allah Bachayo Soomro, Basheer Gujjar, Abdul Aziz Shaikh and Noorul Haq Qureshi led the rally.

Trade union leaders Qamoos Gul Khattak and Abdul Latif Nizamani, MMA leaders Abdul Waheed Qureshi, Abdul Rehman Rajput and Maulana Taj Mohammad Nahiyoon, PPP leaders Zahid Bhurgari and Amanullah Siyal and leaders of PKMAP, SNF, STP, SNP, Awami Tehrik, Sunni Tehrik, SUP, Shia Ulema Council, PML-N, PTI and PPP-SB also participated in the rally with a large number of workers.

The rally adopted a declaration demanding withdrawal of the ordinance and condemning death threats to the secretary general of PFUJ Mazhar Abbas, Zarrar Khan and Asif.

The declaration called for an end to military dictatorship and complete freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution. Lawyers had boycotted the courts for the whole day.

Tando Allahya: Journalists, lawyers, political activists and trade union leaders staged a token hunger strike outside the press club against government's new curbs on media.

Leaders Mian Ali Mohammad Walhani, Asif Khwaja and Altaf Jiskani strongly criticised the new restrictions and demanded that Pemra (amendment) ordinance should be repealed.

Thatta: Journalists and leaders of political parties and social workers led by Yar Mohammad Jalalani, MPA Sassui Palijo and Awami Tehrik leader Abdul Qadir Ranto staged a procession, which started from the press club and terminated at the press club after marching on the National Highway.

Sassui Palijo slammed restrictions on the press and rejected Pemra (amendment) ordinance. She said that it was impossible for the government to put any curbs on the independence of judiciary and press.

Nawabshah: A large number of journalists staged a demonstration outside the press club and slammed the federal law minister's statement that press was not the fourth pillar of the state.

Led by secretary of the press club Zulfiqar Memon, Mohammad Aslam Munir, Arshad Munir and Ali Mohammad Shah the protesters said that the minister was making useless statements against journalists. First the government attacked offices of private news channels and then journalists started receiving death threats.

They termed the ordinance another attack on media and said that the government's claims about free media had proved wrong.

Naushahro Feroze: Journalists in Naushahro Feroze, Moro, Bhirya, Kandiaro, Tharushah and Mithiani hoisted black flags on the press club buildings and wore black armbands in protest against the new Pemra ordinance.

They termed empowering Pemra to take action against TV channels, confiscate equipment and seal premises as a "black law". Lawyers also joined the journalists and staged a march on the Court Road.

Badin: Journalists observed a black day and hoisted black flags on the press club building.

A rally led by Abdul Majeed Mallah, Ghulam Mustafa Jamali, Abdul Latif Zargar and Abdul Shakoor Memon was brought out from the press club.

The protesters condemned what they called imposition of black laws on media and demanded immediate withdrawal of amendments to Pemra ordinance.

Shikarpur: Members of Shikarpur press club staged a rally, which started from the press club and terminated at the Lakhi Gate tower chowk where the protesters staged a demonstration.

The protesters marched on different roads of the city and demanded withdrawal of amendments to Pemra ordinance. They wore black armbands and hoisted black flags on the press club.

Mirpurkhas: Journalists observed a black day and staged a demonstration at the Post Office Chowk carrying banners and placards and raising slogans against the government.

The leaders condemned the ban on private TV channels and amendments to the Pemra ordinance. They deplored that the government was trying to gag media.

Activists of different political parties also joined the protest to express solidarity with protesting journalists.

Jacobabad: Journalists led by Syed Nazar Abbas and Parvez Abro staged a rally, which started from the press club and returned to its starting point after marching on main roads of the city.

The leaders slammed restrictions on the media and amendments to Pemra ordinance demanding complete freedom of press.

Dadu: Journalists from Dadu, Sehwan, Khudabad, Phulji, Mehar, Khairpur Nathan Shah and Johi staged a rally here which marched on different roads of the city before staging a demonstration outside the press club.

The protesters were led by Ghous Bux Jhatial, Nizamuddin Shaikh, Saeed Ahmed Memon, Abdul Fatah Shaikh and Anwar Azad Kandhro. Social workers and lawyers also took part in the rally.

Date Posted: 6/7/2007