Lahore: Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), filed a petition with the Lahore High Court on Monday, seeking the annulment of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s ban on the broadcast of his speeches and press conferences (PEMRA).
Due to his “provocative statements against state institutions and their officers,” the media watchdog banned the immediate broadcast of live and recorded speeches of the deposed prime minister on all satellite TV channels a day earlier.
The ban was imposed hours after the deposed premier, who was removed from power via a vote of no confidence in April of last year, delivered a fiery speech outside his Lahore residence upon the arrival of a police team to arrest him in the Toshakhana case.
The petitioner alleged that the regulatory authority exceeded its constitutional authority by prohibiting the PTI leader’s TV speeches.
The petition stated, “PEMRA’s orders are unlawful, unconstitutional, and a violation of Article 19 of the Constitution.”
In addition, the media regulatory authority issued the order in violation of the PEMRA Ordinance of 2002.
The petitioner called the ban a “violation of fundamental human rights” and urged the court to declare the PEMRA’s order null and void.
