IHC suspends PEMRA ban on IK’s live speeches
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) order to the ban the live television broadcast of Imran Khan’s speeches was suspended on Monday by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The decision was made today while the PTI chairman’s petition challenging the earlier this month’s ban by the media regulator was being heard.
Barristers Ali Zafar requested that the PEMRA prohibition be lifted during the proceedings since the PTI chairman planned to host a live telethon later today to raise money for flood victims.
The IHC Chief Justice listened to the arguments, postponed the notification, and sent notices to Ashtar Ausaf Ali, the Pakistani Attorney General, as well as the regulating body.
After the PTI chairman threatened state institutions and elected politicians with dire repercussions, the PEMRA ban was put into effect on August 21.
According to the notification of PEMRA, Khan’s addresses are blatantly in breach of both the regulations of the regulator and Article 19 of the Pakistani Constitution.
The restriction was implemented, claims the regulator, in accordance with Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002. Khan’s address at the F9 Park in Islamabad was highlighted in the PEMRA announcement as justification for the ban.
Along with the suspension, Khan is also dealing with contempt of court charges for threatening Zeba Chaudhry, an additional district and sessions judge, during the same address.
IHC suspends PEMRA ban on IK’s live speeches
The former prime minister has been served with a summons to appear in court on August 31 by the IHC, which has convened a five-member bigger bench to hear the contempt of court case against him.
