After a week of nationwide mass protests and criticism from the international community President Musharraf of Pakistan yesterday withdrew proposed curbs on media coverage of opposition protests.

The climbdown came after a backlash from journalists, civil society and the opposition parties. General Musharraf ordered the withdrawal of the draconian measures after talks on Saturday with representatives of the Pakistan Broadcasting Association.

An information ministry official said that the President agreed to scrap the controversial regulation only after the broadcasters assured him that they would prepare a code of conduct to avoid any abuse of media freedom. Muhammad Ali Durrani, the Federal Minister for Information, said that all the restrictions on the media had now been removed.

The television channels resumed their regular programmes, including the political talk shows that were banned last week. “The Government realised that action against the media further fuelled the public outrage against it,” said Talat Hussain, Director of Aaj News, one of the independent networks.

General Musharraf issued a decree last week banning independent networks from coverage of opposition protests against his Government and any criticism of the armed forces. Violation of the regulation could result in the closure of the networks and prison sentence for editors and owners of the media companies.

The curb on the media was seen as one of the most unpopular measures taken by General Musharraf during his eight-year rule. It was seen as a desperate attempt to contain the deepening political crisis triggered by his suspension of the country’s top judge. His opponents claimed that Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was removed from the office because he posed a threat to General Musharraf’s bid to secure another five-year tern.

The Government blamed the live coverage of protest rallies for fuelling the crisis. Critics said that General Musharraf has become increasingly authoritarian as opposition to his Government gains momentum.

Journalists staged demonstrations across the country, including in Islamabad, defying a recently announced ban on rallies in the capital. The controversial move also drew unprecedented criticism form Washington and European Union.

The decision to shelve the new media regulation may help to defuse the protests, but most observers agree that it would not bring an end to General Musharraf’s problems.

As the political unrest mounts many leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, including Cabinet ministers, have started distancing themselves from the beleaguered military leader who is fighting to retain his authority.

Last week General Musharraf complained that his civilian allies had failed to defend him. “You never come to my support,” he was reported to have told members of parliament belonging to the ruling coalition.

Shaukat Aziz, the Prime Minister, also admitted that some members of the ruling coalition had either lost heart or joined the opposition.

Many Muslim League leaders have joined the opposition demand for General Musharraf, who holds dual office, to quit the post of chief of army staff.General Musharraf has become increasingly isolated as he seeks to extend his nearly eight years in power with a new five-year presidential term this autumn.

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