PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN PAKISTAN (19 March 2007)

That this House commends President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan for his efforts in restoring democratic norms, including freedom of the press; notes with sadness that over the past few days the press has come under attack in Pakistan; finds the raid on the Offices of GEO TV News in Islamabad, where staff were manhandled and equipment destroyed, both deeply regrettable and completely unacceptable; further notes the condemnation of this incident by President Musharraf and calls for those responsible to be swiftly brought to justice to restore confidence in the rule of law and freedom of the press; further notes that President Musharraf continues to make great strides in bringing forward the cause of democracy in Pakistan, and that there are more women in the Pakistani parliament than the UK Parliament; welcomes his longstanding pledge to hold free, open and fair elections in 2007; and urges him to continue along this path that is helping to build a bright future for the people of Pakistan under his leadership and to continue to ensure that the country benefits from a free and open press as one of the foundations of a modern democracy.

Sponsored by:
Lynda Waltho (Labour)