State television decides not to air Nawaz, Maryam's speeches

ISLAMABAD: The management of the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) has decided not to air former PM Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz’s speeches, ARY News reported.

The decision was reportedly taken after the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) warned television channels not to air speeches by political leadership containing defamatory targeting state institutions like judiciary and army.

A notification issued by PTV’s controller programming has issued directives not to air speeches or advertisements containing speeches by an “convicted person” on the state television.

It is pertinent to note here that an accountability court on July 6, handed Nawaz Sharif 10 years as jail time for owning assets beyond income and 1 year for not cooperating with NAB in the Avenfield properties corruption reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

His daughter Maryam Nawaz was given 7 years for abetment, and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar was given 1 year for non-cooperation with the anti-graft authority.

Captain (retd) Safdar was arrested on Sunday, July 8 while Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif are due to return on July 13, Friday.