PEMRA bars TV channels from broadcasting speeches and press talks of Imran Khan

PEMRA bars TV channels from broadcasting speeches and press talks of Imran Khan!

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Sunday notified of a complete ban on the broadcast of speeches, talks, or public addresses of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

In the prohibition order, PEMRA stated that the PTI chairman has been making false accusations against state institutions in his speeches, “which is prejudiced to the maintenance of law and order and is likely to disturb public peace and tranquillity.”

The regulatory body’s decision to ban the broadcasting of Imran’s speeches was made under Section 27 of the Pemra Ordinance 2002.

It added that “Airing of baseless allegations, a hateful, slanderous and unwarranted statement against state institutions and officers are in sheer violation of Article 19 of the Constitution.”

PEMRA stated that licensees telecasted the content without the effective utilization of the time delay mechanism, in violation of the authority’s laws and judgments by the apex court.

“… therefore, the competent authority i.e. chairman Pemra in view of the above-mentioned background and reasons, in the exercise of delegated powers of the authority vested in Section 27(a) of the Pemra Ordinance 2002 as amended by Pemra (Amendment) Act 2007, hereby prohibits broadcast/rebroadcast of speech(s)/press talks (recorded or live) of Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect,” the order said.

PTI decides to move to court against the ban

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry responded to the development by accusing the government of making a “sinister effort” to stifle Imran Khan’s voice.

In a tweet, he said that the PTI will challenge the ban in court, and also urged the media to move the court against this order.

The development comes after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan came down hard on the “state institutions” amid the arrest controversy in the Toshakhana case registered against him.

The ousted prime minister — who was removed from power in April last year — vented his rage while addressing party workers and supporters at Zaman Park residence in Lahore on Sunday who participated in the “Jail Bharo Tehreek” (court arrest movement).

PTI Chief said that he had never “bowed before any man or institution, and will never let you do so as well”.

He yet again lashed out at government leaders, alleging that they had stashed their wealth overseas and were given protection in legal cases by former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa.