Pakistan Views

The dead bodies of Khalil Malik, a senior journalist and his wife were found in their flat in G-8/4 with bullet wounds. Khalil was shot in the chest whereas his wife Saira Khan 22, a TV reporter, was shot in the head. Doctors in their preliminary report stated that Khalil Malik received a bullet in the chest, which proved fatal, while Saira’s brain was ruptured by the bullet.Khalil’s body was taken to his native village, Nika Kahut Chakwal for burial, while the body of Saira Khan was taken to Pirwadhai Rawalpindi by her mother and other relatives. According to employees working in Khalil Malik’s weekly magazine, Saira Khan, the third wife of Malik reached the office situated in Pakistan Housing Authority flats in G-8/4 and asked them to leave as she had to talk to Malik on some family issues. She locked the door from inside and after some time two shots were heard in the room, they said.The Rescue 15 and Margalla Police reached the spot and broke open the door and found blood-soaked bodies of Khalil Malik and his wife Saira Khan in the room. Police immediately took the possession of the murder weapon.Later police shifted the bodies to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for autopsy, where doctors under the supervision of Dr Minhajas Siraj carried out the post-mortem and declared that bullet injury was the cause of death. Margalla police refused to give any further details.It is learnt that Khalil had married Saira Khan and developed some differences with her. Saira had twice tried to commit suicide, because two other wives of Khalil and some family members were tormenting Saira. The family members of Saira Khan told reporters in the PIMS that they were not aware of her marriage with Khalil.Preliminary findings are that Saira Khan shot Khalil Malik and then committed suicide with the same pistol. Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman visited PIMS and ordered immediate investigation into the incident.She termed the murder of Khalil Malik an irreparable loss to the country. Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior, Rehman Malik has directed the Inspector General of Police Islamabad to constitute a high-level investigation team and submit the preliminary report within 24 hours.

A Pakistani American advocacy organization on Capitol Hill has applauded the new government’s move to lift curbs imposed on the media during emergency period last year.
The Pakistani American Leadership Center hailed Information Minister Sherry Rehman’s introduction of a parliamentary bill proposing an end ban on live media broadcast.The organization particularly noted the information minister’s statement that the “amendments will remove the entire apparatus of restrictions imposed on the press.”The PALC launched the Congressional Pakistan Caucus in May 2004 and works to raise awareness about Pakistani-American interests in Washington policy circles.

The federal government is likely to curtail the powers of Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) regarding seizing the equipment, sealing premises without notice or directing closure of the television station in case of violation of the law, official sources told Business Recorder.“Imprisonment with fine as punishments on violation of law and the offences made cognisable and compoundable will also be repealed,” the sources added. However, the government intends to retain provisions which enable deputy commissioner to authenticate declaration of newspaper where the office of DCO does not exist due to partial implementation of local bodies but would delete proviso to section 19 which empowers the DC/ DCO to suspend declaration.
Other clauses, which are likely to be repealed, are as follows:
1. Any material, photographic or in print, that is likely to incite violence or hatred, create inter-faith disorder or be prejudicial to maintenance of law and order;
2. Any material that is in conflict with the commonly accepted standards of morality and decency and which promotes vulgarity, obscenity and pornography.
3. No printer, publisher or editor shall print or publish in any book, periodical or paper any material, which consists of photographs or pictures of suicide bombers, terrorists (except as required by law enforcing agencies for purposes of investigation), bodies of victims of terrorist activities, statements and pronouncements of militants and extremist elements and any other thing which may, in any way, promote aid or abet terrorist activities or terrorism.
4. Graphic or printed representation or projection of statements, comments, observations or pronouncements based on sectarianism, ethnicism or racialism.
5. Any material, printed or graphic that defames, brings into ridicule or disrepute the Head of State, or members of the armed forces or executive, judicial or legislative organs of the State.
6. Any material that is likely to jeopardise or be prejudicial to the ideology of Pakistan or the sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan. he sources said that these amendments would be introduced in the current session of the National Assembly. “It is necessary to repeal the amendments made earlier in these laws on November 3 as those amendments could not lapse automatically being protected by the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) and validated by the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” the sources quoted Information Minister as saying in the previous cabinet meeting.

The government on Friday introduced a bill in the National Assembly, amending the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Ordinance, 2002, to abolish the much-criticised media curbs enforced by previous government last year.After introduction of the bill, Information Minister Sherry Rehman, addressing media persons, termed it a moment of great joy “as this milestone has been achieved following relentless struggle by media and political parties”.She said, “The laws were draconian, for which the Prime Minister in his first policy statement on the floor of the house on March 29 had pledged to dismantle restrictions on media, and announced the repeal of the amendments made in the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Ordinance 2002. Through this revolutionary change, the government and media will be at ease in interaction with each other. “To achieve this Information Ministry will continuously seek and incorporate suggestions from journalists’ representative bodies like Federal Union of Journalists and their local organs”, she added. She said that the main thrust of the bill would be on controlling violence against media men, giving them space to work in a free environment. She said that section 27 of Pemra Ordinance says anybody involved in dissemination of information against government would be punished. This is being repealed. The amendment on November 3, 2008 had increased the fine of Rs 1 million to Rs 10 million for a licensee who contravened the provision of Pemra law, and has been given reasonable opportunity to show cause. However, the Rs 10 million fine is being reversed to Rs 1 million. Pemra was empowered to revoke the licence on violation by the licensee. This is also being withdrawn. Through November 3 amendment, the Authority Chairman was empowered to seize equipment or seal the premises of the licensee, and also close down network of licensee in a situation of emergency. This is also being withdrawn. In the amended Ordinance, by adding sub-section (2) in section 31, live coverage of violence and conflict was prohibited. This sub-section is also being withdrawn. Moreover, signal blockage will never happen again. Offences under Pemra laws were made cognisable and compoundable. This is being withdrawn. When asked that the laws are being repealed taking president into confidence as these were carved by his administration, she said, “I don’t see any reason for anybody to be annoyed on the return of democratic government. This is the first step; we have to go a long way.” When a journalist sought his comments on the Code of Conduct, she said that new code of conduct would be introduced soon.

Secretary Information Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Sherry Rehman on Monday said that the government against the black laws of Pemra, which would be repealed now. Speaking to a TV programme, she said a mediatory committee of stakeholder was formed comprising media persons and members of parliament and representatives of human rights. “It had forwarded recommendations and we would implement those. We have made some other announcements that not only media but common citizen would have access to the information about the decision making process by the executive”, she added. Sherry Rehman said Parliamentary committees have important role and they would be formed to ensure transparency and accountability, adding media would be completely free and black laws of Pemra imposed in 2007 would be revoked.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has announced abolishing the PEMRA ordinance, promulgated when the Emergency was imposed last November.
Speaking at the floor of the house the prime minister said there was an ambiguity about his statement on PEMRA and he want to clarify the matter. He announced repealing of the draconian Pemra laws of Nov 3, 2007.The media will be allowed to witness proceedings of the parliamentary committees, he added.

Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian president Makhdoom Amin Fahim met Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari at latter’s residence in Islamabad on Wednesday night, Their meeting continued for an hour. Both the leaders discussed matters related to party and they also exchanged views on nomination on Prime Minister slot, TV channel added. According to TV, a deadlock-like situation continued to exist between the two leaders. Makhdoom Amin Fahim did not speak to media after meeting Asif Ali Zardari. However, talking to media a senior party leader Khursheed Shah said that Zardari-Fahim meeting was a routine affair. Shah said that there is no difference in party over nomination of prime minister. Strongly rejecting the impression that the next Prime Minister would be for a three months period, Khursheed Shah said that the prime minister would not be on the pattern of ‘chaudhry Shujaat like arrangements during the previous govt’. Shah said that PPP would decide candidate for PM in its parliamentary meeting on March 16.

A delegation of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) called on co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari in Zardari House here on Saturday. The 30-member delegation was led by its President Hameed Haroon. Talking to the delegation, the PPP co-chairman said that the party was committed to free media and would strive for protecting its freedom. The party welcomed a strong and vibrant press to serve as a check, he said. The APNS President highlighted the twin issues of media related laws made post-November 3 emergency that adversely affected its freedoms and of the Wage Board award and presented the Society’s point of view. Asif Zardari said that the party was aware of the problems and issues faced by the media whether print or electronic and that the future PPP government would address all these issues in consultation with the stakeholders. The delegation also offered Fateha for Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. There was also a free exchange of views in the over one-hour meeting. Sharif Farooq, Editor, Daily Jehad, and a member of the APNS also presented his book on the Quaid-e-Azam to Asif Ali Zardari.-PR

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday said there is no restriction on private TV channels to broadcast the incomplete results of the election.

Twelve senior journalists from Saarc countries met Secretary election commission Kunwar Muhammad Dilshad.

During the briefing Kunwar Dilshad said about the security measures that have been taken to make the elections fair.

While speaking to the journalists and media he said that election commission will not release progressive results. He further said that all the necessary arrangements have been made for fair and free election.

He said that returning officer will compose the non-government results both in words and numeric. He added that all the non-government results will be faxed to the central control room Islamabad.

The United opposition in the senate during the senate session on Monday strongly condemned government curbs on media and flayed the Caretaker Information minister for giving statement against TV channels.

The Journalists walked out from the press gallery in Senate on the statement of Nisar Memon. The opposition also staged a token walk out on Mr Memon’s statement.

Hamid Nawaz caretaker interior minister has said the law does not allow calling of UN agencies and if the Pakistan Peoples Party has some evidence, it can share with local investigating agencies or Scotland Yard which would further help to find the culprits behind Benazir’s assassination.

The interior minister while making a policy statement on the issue of law and order said that Scotland Yard has done what the UN independent commission would have done.

Leader of Opposition Raza Rabbani rejected the government’s stance and maintained that PPP demands UN independent commission to investigate into Benazir’s assassination.

Mr Nawaz said that the law enforcing agencies have apprehended the culprits behind the suicide attacks that took place in the country during the recent past.

Earlier, the opposition senators while discussing the imposition of emergency said that it was unlawful, unconstitutional and uncalled for.

Mr Rabbani said that the reasons listed in the imposition were in fact the charge sheet against the then government of Shaukat Aziz. He said instead of dismissing the government the judiciary was sacked.

Mr Rabbani said it was the personal ambition of President Musharraf that led to the proclamation of emergency and was meant for the clinical surgery of the judiciary.

Afzal Haider, law minister while concluding the discussion on emergency said that the extra-ordinary circumstances existed that called for the imposition of emergency.

Senator Raza Rabbani’s privilege motion on the Upper House not completing its constitutional requirement of 90 days was also admitted and sent to the Senate’s privileges committee.