PFUJ welcome Sharif, Zardari’s statements on PEMRA laws
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has welcomed the statements of chief of PML (N) Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari about the drastic changes in the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory (PEMRA), and said freedom of the Press and Independence of judiciary are essential for true democracy.
PFUJ in a statement also welcome the decisions of lifting the ban on six tv anchors and hope that the future government will respect the freedom of the Press and abolish all “black laws,” against the media including the two anti-media Ordinances promulgated after November 3, to gag the press. “We welcome the statements of both Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari,” it said. PFUJ has learnt that out of six TV anchors four will be back on air from Friday, while the two others will also be back very soon and hope journalists will continue to play responsible role.
Freedom of the Press and Independence of judiciary are essential for any democratic set-up and PFUJ fully support the lawyers movement for the Restoration of pre Nov. 3, judiciary, PFUJ said. PFUJ lauded the efforts of all TV channels, FM and newspapers during the elections despite the hurdles created by PEMRA through two anti-media notification a night before polling. However, the implementation of the notifications were blocked after Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), had threatened to go on strike. “PBA did the right thing and the one we have been demanding from the owners since November 3, when over 50 TV channels were put off air through a verbal order,” it said. PFUJ hope that PPPP and PML (N) as well as other political parties in the parliament will honour their commitment made with the journalists community. “We have been struggling against the anti-media Ordinances since November 3, and will not accept restrictions on media,” it said. PEMRA’s notification title “ Media Silence period,” dated Feb 16, and released on Feb 17, was an attempt to silence the Press. “Had it been implemented the people of Pakistan would not have been able to see the election-2008. It was a last minute attempt to blackout elections on TV, but the conspiracy was foiled,” PFUJ said.