NEW YORK, May 11: The Pakistani Supreme Court should immediately withdraw the alarming press directive issued on Wednesday that is designed to stifle coverage of a controversial issue involving the court, the Committee to Protect Journalists(CPJ) , demanded on Friday.

“We’re alarmed that the Supreme Court has threatened Pakistani journalists who have the responsibility of covering an important political story at a time when the country needs more freedom for the media, not less,” said Joel Simon, CPJ’s executive director. “The court should strive to uphold freedom of expression, not stifle it.” He noted “Pakistani media organisations and journalists have come under legal and economic pressure, as well outright assault, as they have covered street demonstrations, at times violent, that followed Musharraf’s move”.