Pakistan media regulatory body PEMRA bans ex-PM Imran Khan’s speeches from broadcasting
Amid the political drama that erupted after the Pakistan Police attempted to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has now banned telecasting of Khan’s “inflammatory” speech.
The latest order came hours after Khan waived his arrest and addressed party workers outside his home in Zaman Park in Lahore. Earlier, the Election Commission found Khan guilty of illegally selling gifts from foreign dignitaries – dubbed the “Toshakhana case”. Later, the court issued an arrest warrant against him.
However, when the police reached his house to arrest him on Sunday, he allegedly absconded. Hours later, the PTI chief addressed party workers in Lahore where he accused the administration of working in parallel with “foreign powers” – a claim he has been making since he was ousted in April last year.
What led to the ban?
Further, the cricketer-turned-politician lashed out at government leaders, accusing them of storing their wealth abroad and being given protection in legal matters by former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, reported Dawn. Subsequently, the authority directed PEMRA to ban any speech by Khan, citing violation of fundamental principles of the constitution.
It said that Khan has made baseless allegations and spread hate speech through his inflammatory statements against state institutions and officials, which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and, as per the order, public peace and tranquility. is likely to dissolve.
The Dawn quoted the order as saying that Khan has made baseless allegations and spread hate speech through his inflammatory statements against state institutions and officials which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and disturbs public peace and tranquility. is likely to do
Pemra has described it as a violation of the Supreme Court order
Pemra said the licensees broadcast the content without effective use of the time delay mechanism, in violation of the authority’s laws and Supreme Court judgments.
“…Therefore, the Competent Authority ie the Chairman PEMRA, in view of the above-stated background and reasons, in exercise of the powers conferred on the Authority under Section 27(a) of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by the PEMRA (Amendment) Act . 2007, the broadcast/rebroadcast of Imran Khan’s speeches/press conferences (recorded or live) on all satellite TV channels is hereby banned with immediate effect,” the order said.
Not the first time
Notably, this is not the first time that Pemra has banned Khan’s speeches. Earlier in August, he allegedly threatened Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhary and the IG and DIG of Islamabad Police of “consequences” after the judge handed over physical custody to the former prime minister’s aide. After the organization had imposed a similar ban. , Shahbaz Gill to the police for two days.
Also Read: Police Arriving At Imran Khan’s House With Non-Bailable Warrant, Huge Drama In Lahore As They Leave Without Arresting Him
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