Unfazed by the mounting criticism over the crackdown on the electronic media, the Musharraf regime is planning another gag order, which will restrict publication of “objectionable” editorial comments and cartoons in newspapers in Pakistan.
The National Security Council (NSC) which met here with President General Pervez Musharraf early this week, had decided upon an ordinance to restrict publication of objectionable cartoons or articles in newspapers and magazines that could  defame the armed forces or other state institutions, Daily Times reported.
The NSC has directed the Law and Justice Ministry to draft the ordinance restricting print media, the newspaper said.
Already, an ordinance promulgated by Musharraf which gives sweeping powers to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) officials to seal premises and seize equipment of electronic channels that break law has drawn flak in the country and abroad.
Owners of TV channels have demanded that the government amend the PERMA laws, so  that they are in consonance with the principle of natural justice “that nobody should be condemned unheard, which was a basic fundamental and constitutional right of every citizen”.
Several TV channels were blacked out by cable operators this weekend for “showing anti-Pakistan propaganda”. However, the government’s threat to media to rein in the coverage of the crisis over the suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is already having an affect as almost all channels appeared to have “modulated” their coverage to reduce friction with the authorities.
Channel owners, after a meeting with Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani on Tuesday expressed “their resolve to uphold the integrity of the country and its armed forces, judiciary, religions and social and cultural values”.
At the meeting, it was agreed that all broadcasts and programmes would avoid aspersions on the judiciary and the armed forces, according to a report in the daily Dawn.
“We are getting reports that Geo TV’s coverage is being restored by cable operators in different parts of the country,” a beaming anchor of the channel said in its bulletin on Wednesday.
Transmission of Aaj TV and ARY TV has also been restored.
Despite the sweeping curbs, Durrani said the freedom enjoyed by the media would continue and no attempt was being made to curb the freedom of expression.
The developments have also sparked another standoff between the cable operators and channels, which accuse the former of acting as “tools” in the hands of the government.
Cable operators’ have hit back, saying the channels, which were crying hoarse now, had remained silent on their demand for permission to screen Indian channels.
They argue that they blocked the Indian channels under the government pressure and have now blacked out the local channels “under the same pressure”.
The cable operators’ unions have staged strikes several times in the past, demanding that the government allow them to screen Indian entertainment channels, which have a large viewership in Pakistan.