ISLAMABAD, Feb 21: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has welcomed statements of PML-N chief Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari promising drastic changes in the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and said freedom of the press and independence of judiciary are essential for true democracy.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, the PFUJ also welcomed the decision to lift ban on six TV anchors and hoped that the future government would respect media freedom and abolish all ‘black laws’ against the media, including the two ordinances promulgated after November 3.

According to the statement, four of the six TV anchors will be back on air from Friday and the two others a little later.