Journalists continue boycott of official events
By Asghar Ali Mubarak

ISLAMABAD—The journalist community on Tuesday for the 2nd consecutive day continued boycott of all official ceremonies in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad against the curb placed on media following imposition of emergency rule in the country.
On appeal of Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists, the boycott of journalist fraternity of all official proceedings continued against promulgation of Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory (PEMRA) amendment ordinance, restriction on media, blackout of the news channels and notices served to newspapers.
Owing to boycott, the ceremony of Chief of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mehmood at Air headquarter and press conference of Spokesman Interior ministry Brig (Retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema received no media coverage.
President RIUJ Afzal Butt, Secretary General Ashfaq Sajid, Senor Vice President Sheryar Khan and other senior journalists thanked journalists over boycott of official events. RIUJ also appealed to journalists to keep up their hold of all official events.

President orders for immediate release of detained journalists

ISLAMABAD—President general Pervez Musharraf has issued directives for immediate release of the detained journalists.
He issued these directives while presiding over a high level meeting in presidential camp office Rawalpindi Tuesday. Meeting was attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, interior minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, information minister Muhammad Ali Durrani, vice chief of army staff general Ishfaq Kiani and heads of security agencies. The meeting reviewed overall law and order situation and security arrangements following the imposition of emergency in the country. Official sources told Online president expressed satisfaction over law and order situation in the country after the imposition of state of emergency saying steps would be taken on fast tack basis to stamp out extremism and terrorism so that safety of life and property of people could be ensured. President stressed the need for forging close interaction between police and law enforcement agencies saying security agencies should trace out anti peace elements besides extending the scope of investigation into the incidents of terrorism and suicide attacks taking place in the country and he be informed immediately about the outcome of these investigations.—Agencies