US hails Pak's withdrawal of ban on media

Washington, June 12: The Bush Administration has described as a ''positive step'' to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's order withdrawing the controversial Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Amendment Ordinance which generated a lot of controversy both at home and abroad.

''A free press is essential to any functioning democracy,'' said State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack yesterday while commenting on the ordinance which allowed authorities to confiscate the equipment of broadcasters and seal their premises.

According to reports, Gen Musharraf withdrew the decree on Saturday only after the Pakistani broadcasters assured him they would ''prepare a code of conduct to avoid any abuse of media freedom.'' McCormack said, ''it (the freedom of press) may at times cause heartburns for various governments. But, the fact of the matter is it is an essential part of a strong, healthy, functioning democracy, so this is a positive step that President Musharraf and his government have taken.'' He also noted that the issues, surrounding the suspension of Supreme Court Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, are going to be moving their way through the judicial system. ''That's positive, that case should be resolved within the confines of the Pakistani constitution and their legal norms and the media should be free to cover it as they see fit.'' Commenting on the reports that US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, was reportedly going to Islamabad to help resolve the political crisis in Pakistan, McCormack said, ''look, the Pakistani people are more than capable enough of resolving any political differences they may have, striking any political bargains. They don't need our help to do so.'' Asked about the possibility of US reconsidering its considerable support to Gen Musharraf's government in the light of the recent political developments, he said, ''we have supported Pakistan, the Pakistani people and the Pakistan Government in their efforts in political and economic reform.'' ''They -- this particular government made a fundamental choice back in 2001 which direction it was going to be -- which direction it was going to go in,'' he said.

''It was headed down a very dangerous pathway in our view. And they have made -- President Musharraf has made some progress in terms of political and economic reforms; some of the reforms of the schools, allowing for greater press freedoms, the recent order that was rescinded, notwithstanding. The political system has opened up more. So there -- they have made some progress,'' he added.

UNI

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