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Pakistan media ban under review

From CNN's Syed Mohsin Naqvi

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LAHORE, Pakistan (CNN) -- In the midst of widespread protests, the Pakistani government Thursday agreed to suspend newly enacted media restrictions until a joint committee comprised of media and government representatives could review them, Pakistan Broadcasting Association (PBA) and information ministry officials said.

The decision to create the panel came after a six-hour meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and a team of PBA representatives led by Pakistani media moguls Shakil-ur-Rahman and Arif Nizami.

According to the PBA delegation and the office of Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani, the committee will consist of three media representatives and three government representatives.

Meanwhile, journalists and lawyers observing a "black day" Thursday chanted "Go Musharraf go" during staged protests against the presidential ordinance that, among other restrictions, allows the government to seal any building where it deems an "illegal transmission" was aired.

In the eastern province of Punjab, police have hauled in close to 1,000 individuals since Tuesday night as part of a massive crackdown waged against opposition party leaders, professors, student associations and civil societies, a senior government official told CNN.

According to an Interior Ministry source, the detentions are meant to marginalize support for the country's top judge, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, and stymie opposition party backing ahead of crucial elections and a vote in parliament to extend his rule later this year.

Pervez Musharraf, who serves as Pakistan's president and army leader, has promised to step down as head of the army before seeking re-election. However, some observers believe he wants to retain the army post and suspended Chaudhry to intimidate the judiciary and preclude any legal challenge.

The suspension, which Musharraf said was in response to Chaudhry's abuse of power, has been met with ongoing protests and has caused massive rifts in Pakistan's political fabric.

In recent weeks protests and unrest have intensified in response to the government's tight restrictions on the media's coverage of the chief justice. The Supreme Court has warned the media that coverage, discussion and analysis that impede legal procedures will be treated as contempt of court.

Over the weekend the government warned private TV stations not to air live coverage of Saturday's planned march by ousted chief justice Chaudhry.

On Sunday the transmission of private TV station, Geo News, was blocked by the government. During the last few programs, the show's anchor, Shahid Masood, criticized the government for recent bans and threats to journalists.

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