ISLAMABAD, June 9: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Saturday ordered the authorities to withdraw the controversial Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Amendment Ordinance.

The president gave the order after a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA).

The order made no mention of the prohibition on live coverage of the engagements of the chief justice and on talk shows dealing with the presidential reference.

The president assured the delegation that the government was a votary of media freedom. “Licences to private TV channels have been given by my government. Why would I want to close them down,” a participant of the meeting quoted President Musharraf as saying during the meeting.

At a media briefing, Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani dispelled speculations that the president had made the withdrawal of the ordinance conditional on the formulation of a code of conduct by the PBA within three days.

He said the PBA delegates on their own had assured the president that they would compile a code of conduct within three days. “This is a positive initiative which would bring about more credibility and responsibility in the media.”

The minister said all `media-related issues were over now’.

In reply to a question, he said an ordinance was always initiated by the government and the president’s office only handled procedural matters. “Only the government can withdraw the ordinance.”

The ordinance had allowed Pemra to confiscate the equipment of broadcasters and seal their premises without consulting the council of complaints.