IHC suspends notification banning Imran Khan's live speeches

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) notification, banning the live telecast of former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s speeches, ARY News reported on Monday.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah took up the petition filed by Imran Khan’s lawyer earlier in the day. The court suspended the PEMRA’s notification till September 5 and observed that the authority “does not have the authority” to issue such orders.

During the hearing, Judge Athar Minallah observed that the PEMRA had exceeded its authority and directed the regulatory authority to appoint an officer who could justify the ban in court.

Meanwhile, Barrister Ali Zafar – who represented Imran Khan – argued that the former premier wanted to do a live telethon later today to raise funds for flood affectees.

After hearing the arguments, the IHC chief justice suspended the notification and issued notices to the regulatory authority and Attorney-General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf Ali.

Earlier in the day, the petition – challenging the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) ban on live telecast of speech – was filed by Imran Khan’s lawyers, who requested the court to set aside the order of the ban.

The petition stated, “While referring to the violence against party member Shahbaz Gill, Imran had requested to take legal action against those responsible.”

It noted that as a citizen the law has given the right to take legal action, adding that the PTI chief’s speech was mistaken as hate speech. “Imran’s stance for legal action against those responsible in Gill’s torture does not fall under hate speech,” it added.

On August 21, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) slapped a ban on telecast of live speeches of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on all TV channels with immediate effect.

PEMRA in its press release said: “It has been observed that Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in his speeches/statements is continuously alleging state institutions by leveling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statements against state institutions and officers which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility.”