ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Police said yesterday they have filed a preliminary complaint against about 200 journalists for defying a ban on rallies in the capital by protesting curbs on the media, the latest sign of government intolerance of coverage of a political crisis.Although no arrests were made immediately, the move came a day after hundreds of journalists, lawyers and opposition supporters rallied in Islamabad to protest the imposition of an emergency ordinance by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf that tightened the regulation of electronic media, including private TV channels that he has accused of anti-government bias.

In addition, more than 60 opposition activists have been detained in Lahore and five other cities in Punjab province since Monday on government orders to keep them from joining in journalists’ protests and creating law-and-order problems, a senior Lahore police official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to make media comments.

“I have talked to senior police officials but they are not telling me under what charges the action is being carried out,” said Naveed Chaudhry, a spokesman for the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party.

Musharraf’s new ordinance authorises the government to seal the premises of broadcasters or distributors breaking the law, and raises possible fines for violations from $16,665 to $166,650. An offender can also have its license suspended.

“This presidential decree is another brick in the wall of censorship that the government is building to shield itself at a time of political upheaval,” said Joel Simon, executive director of the international media group Committee to Protect Journalists. “We call on the government to rescind the decree immediately.”

Shamim-ur-Rehman, president of the Karachi Union of Journalists, called the ordinance an effort by the government to suppress their voices, something he said they would not let happen.

Musharraf has touted the relaxation of media controls as a highlight of his eight years in office. But rallies over his March 9 suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry for alleged misconduct has shown that his tolerance has limits.

On Friday, the capital imposed a two-month ban on gatherings of more than five people.

Iftikhar Chaudhry, the police chief in Islamabad, confirmed a case has been initiated against those who violated the rally ban.

“The registration of this case means that now we will investigate who in fact participated in the rally,” he said. “Any further legal action will be taken against the violators at the end of this probe.”

Chaudhry would not say how many journalists were named in the complaint. Other officials said about 200 journalists were included.

Talat Hussain, news director for one of the main independent news channels, said he was on the list of names on a First Information Report, which is written by police before any formal charges are made.

Chaudhry’s ouster has sparked unrest and left Musharraf, a key US ally who is also the army chief, open to accusations of autocratic rule as he seeks to extend his nearly eight years in power with a new five-year presidential term this fall.

Analysts and opposition parties claim Musharraf wants to sideline the independent-minded judge, fearing legal challenges of the president’s quest for a new term. The government, however, has denied any political motive, and Musharraf says he suspended Chaudhry after receiving evidence he had abused his office.

Chaudhry has challenged his suspension before the Supreme Court and has addressed large rallies. About 50,000-60,000 people turned out Saturday in an opposition stronghold north of Islamabad.