ISLAMABAD, June 14: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Thursday cautioned the media against ‘abusing freedom’ and said it should not do anything which could aggravate a crisis.

Addressing a joint gathering of the officers of Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy at the Air Headquarters here, President Musharraf said media freedom was undoubtedly important but news organisations should fulfil their responsibility.

He said media should present a positive image of the country and highlight issues of national importance. It should avoid highlighting negative aspects and must not create a sense of despondency among the masses.

The president distanced himself from the reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and said he had nothing to do with it.

He reiterated that it was a purely legal issue. It was referred to him by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, he said, adding that he was bound to send it to the Supreme Judicial Council for due legal process. “It is a sensitive matter,” he said.

“The Supreme Court is the only deciding authority and its decision will be binding on everyone.”

Referring to the issue of Lal Masjid, the president said law and order would be maintained at all costs.

Warning Lal Masjid clerics against mistaking government’s prudence as its weakness, he said if the present situation continued, use of force would be the only option left.

He said the mosque’s administration was trying to challenge the writ of the government by taking advantage of the presence of some 2,500 female students in Jamia Hafsah.