Pak withdraws notification-elucidating rules for newspapers registration

Islamabad, Jan 12 (ANI): Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has withdrawn the notification of Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration Rules 2009.

A spokesman of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, while referring to a news item published in a section of the Press titled "Govt notifies Press Registration Ord, 2002", has said that the Ordinance was promulgated in 2002 and that rules were framed subsequently to implement different provisions of this Ordinance.

The Ministry has withdrawn the notification elucidating rules for registration of newspapers on the instructions of the Information Minister Sherry Rehman.

Sherry Rehman has said that no rules will be framed without consultation with relevant stakeholders like the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE), who will be meeting with her early this week.

The spokesman said that the democratic government led by the Pakistan People's Party is committed to freedom of the media and does not believe in putting any restrictions on the print and electronic media.

The government is making all possible efforts to facilitate the media in having access to information and ensure free flow of information, the spokesman added.

The Ministry is making endeavours to create a media-friendly atmosphere and all its steps are focused on creating a free and cordial environment so that the media could work freely without any inhibition, The Nation quoted him, as saying.

Earlier, Sherry Rehman telephoned CPNE President Arif Nizami and said the Ordinance was issued without her knowledge, and assured him that the notification will be withdrawn. (ANI)