ISLAMABAD, May 3 : The former premier and president of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Sharif has paid tributes to the national press for remaining steadfast in their adherence to truth and objectivity in the face of increasing pressures by the “illegitimate” Musharraf government to curb freedom of the press.

In a message on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Nawaz Sharif said the military rulers had been using all sorts of threats and enticements to force the journalist community to toe their line; however, the they have admirably up-held the sanctity of their profession.

Condemning the oppressive anti-press measures of the Musharraf regime, he cited the forced removal of the editor of an English language paper, the provocative remarks by the Punjab governor at a public meeting at Faisalabad, and the consequent baton charge by the police injuring 23 reporters and press photographers.

Sharif congratulated the national, as well as international press for its truthful and objective reporting on the referendum drama staged by the military regime on April 30.

He hoped that the threatening attitude adopted by the federal information minister in response to the referendum reporting would not discourage the press.

The former premier lauded the determination shown by the CPNE, the PFUJ, and bodies representing the press, in their various resolutions to uphold and defend press freedom.