MEDIA curbs ordinance withdrawn

Pakistan President Musharraf on Saturday withdrew a ordinance imposing sweeping curbs on the media following protests by journalists, the Opposition and civil society. The ordinance empowered Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority to halt transmissions, close offices, and revoke licences.

Hand over militants, China tells Pak

China has asked Pakistan to hand over 20 Islamist militants. The custody of militants of East Turkestan Islamic Movement, an outfit working mostly in Xinjiang province, will be a major issue in the first meet of the Pak-China Joint Working Group on Terror on June 25.