- PEMRA imposed a ban for violating other statutes and Article 19.
- For noncompliance, authorities threatened to suspend media licenses.
- Khan, according to PEMRA, denigrated public institutions.
ISLAMABAD: On Saturday, the federal government directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to relax the restriction on broadcasting PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s speeches.
In compliance with Section 5 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002, the government directed the regulator to lift the prohibition.
According to Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has abolished the “bitter traditions” of Imran’s reign and created a new one.
The minister went on to warn that the current administration would not take the same moves that Khan did against PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and vice president Maryam Nawaz.
We embrace the constitutionally given right to free expression as well as democratic principles. Imran Khan may say whatever he wants about his opponents Aurangzeb stated that Khan’s fans needed to be informed of the reality about his mayhem and mischief.
We have democratic views, the minister said, referring to the PTI leader as a fascist.
PEMRA previously restricted all satellite TV networks from showing or replaying speeches and news conferences by PTI leader Imran Khan.
notice, the regulatory agency noted that Khan had cast aspersions upon the state institutions by raising baseless charges of orchestrating an assassination plan during his lengthy march speeches the day before.
It went on to say that publishing such material was harmful to the maintenance of law and order, was likely to disturb public peace and quiet, and was likely to jeopardize national security.
According to the PEMRA, Article 19 of the Constitution, Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance of 2002, and the 2015 Electronic Media Code of Conduct were all grossly breached.
In case of any breach, observed licence may be suspended… in the public interest along with other enabling portions of legislation, without any show-cause notice, the warning added.
response to PEMRA’s limitation, the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) announced that it would consider its legal options after consulting with its members and counsel.
The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors criticised the PEMRA ruling and disagreed with the prohibition, claiming that under the constitution, everyone has the right to express themselves freely.
