ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, in his speech in the National Assembly on Thursday, rejected speculation that his government had plans to place some new restrictions on the electronic media and said he had told the house standing committee on information to review its recommendations that had created such an impression.

Mr Gilani said his Pakistan People’s Party had agitated against media curbs imposed by General Musharraf’s emergency and that he was now directing his information minister that ‘no such amendment (in the Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority law) be brought that could curb media freedom’.

He also called for a Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill, meant to combat cyber crimes, that was on the day’s agenda to be referred back to the concerned standing committee for a review — which was later done through a formal motion moved by the parliamentary affairs minister – because of his own reservations and those conveyed to him by some opposition and his coalition members.