Blow for Musharraf as strict press laws repealed

PAKISTAN'S new government decided yesterday to repeal stringent press laws introduced by the president, Pervez Musharraf, under emergency rule in November, the new information minister said.

The move is another indication of how Mr Musharraf, whose allies suffered a crushing defeat in elections on 18 February, is facing growing isolation.

"The cabinet has given approval for the repeal of all discriminatory amendments made in the Pemra laws," the information minister, Sherry Rehman, told a news conference, referring to the government media regulator.

Mr Musharraf had accused some television channels of adding to the political uncertainty that led to the imposition of emergency rule on 3 November, and enforced rules prohibiting the media from broadcasting or publishing statements ridiculing him, top government officials and the military.

Back to the top of the page