October 6, 2002	Sunday	Rajab 28, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Saturday issued directions to the ministries of information and law to immediately resolve the issue of press laws without compromising the freedom of press and the rights of the citizens.

During cabinet meeting here, the Minister for Information and Media Development, Nisar A. Memon, brought to the notice of the president the protest by APNS and CPNE against the newly-introduced press laws.

The president said that during his last three years in the government he had given complete freedom to press. “In these circumstances, there is no question of imposing restrictions on the press by the government.”

However, Gen Musharraf said, certain press laws were finalized and approved by the cabinet for promulgation, which the government felt, was in the interest of both the press and the people.

The president directed the ministers for information and law and secretary information to immediately invite APNS and CPNE to a joint meeting to listen to their point of view.

The president directed to look at the ways and means to resolve the issue without compromising the freedom of the press and the rights of citizens.

Earlier, the cabinet approved amendment to Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Act of 1973 to give it a “true corporate structure and entity”. The board of director of PBC is being separated from board of management.

In the new board of directors, four media-related prominent personalities, one from each province, will be appointed directors by the federal government.—APP