IHC SET ASIDE PEMRA ORDER BANNING LIVE SPEECHES BY IMRAN KHAN

 ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) ruling to forbid the live telecast of PTI Chairman Imran Khan's talks was overturned on Tuesday by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), according to ARY News.

Imran Khan, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), filed a petition contesting the Pemra ban against his live talks. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah gave a three-page written decision on the petition.

The court noted in a written decision that PEMRA's attorney was unable to persuade the court that section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance permitted the issuance of a general ban order.

The verdict also states that PEMRA "would be expected to pursue against such delinquent licencees in accordance with the law" if media channels "fail to execute orders about delaying mechanism."

Imran Khan's attorneys filed the appeal, asking the court to overturn the ban imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on the live telecast of speeches.

Imran, who was alluding to the assault against party member Shahbaz Gill, "had asked to take legal action against persons implicated," the plea claims.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority forbade Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, on August 21 from making live comments on any TV networks (PEMRA).

PEMRA said in a press release: "It has been noted that Imran Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, constantly accuses state institutions in his speeches/statements by making irrational accusations and spreading hate speech through his provocative remarks that are hostile to government entities and officials, which are likely to disrupt public peace and tranquilly and harm the maintenance of law and order.