[JURIST] Pakistani lawmakers introduced a bill Friday that would lift media restrictions [JURIST report] imposed by President Pervez Musharraf after his declaration of emergency rule [text; JURIST report] last November. The bill seeks to remove prohibitions on live broadcasts as well as publishing or broadcasting material found to be defamatory toward public officials.

In addition to the ordinances, Musharraf's government allegedly pressured the United Arab Emirates to order two Dubai-based Pakistani news channels to cease broadcasting [JURIST report] in November. Pakistan's new coalition government [JURIST report], formed by the Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League [party websites], has vowed to restore rights secured by the country's constitution [PDF text]. BBC News has more. AP has additional coverage.