ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has prohibited the broadcast of live speeches of PTI Chairman Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect following the latter’s apparent comments against the federal capital police heads during a speech on Saturday.
“However, recorded speech would only be permitted to be aired after an effective delay mechanism is put in place in order to ensure effective monitoring and editorial control in conformity with PEMRA laws,” it said in a four-page document issued after PTI’s rally in the capital’s F-9 park to express solidarity with leader Shahbaz Gill and the ARY News channel that has been taken off the air.
Imran announced that PTI would move the Supreme Court against Gill’s arrest and alleged torture, and would also seek legal action against the Islamabad police chief and his deputy as well as the magistrate who sent Shahbaz Gill on physical remand.
But, the tone of such language prompted Pemra to ban the PTI leader’s live speeches.
“You [Islamabad IG, DIG and magistrate] all should be ashamed,” it quoted an excerpt from the PTI chief’s speech where he criticised police.
Pemra was of the view that airing such “hateful, slanderous and unwarranted statement” against state institutions and officers was in sheer violation of Article 19 (freedom of speech) of the Constitution.
PTI workers had gathered for the protest despite the imposition of Section 144 (under which gathering of more than five people was banned) of the Criminal Procedure Code and Section 16 (dissemination of rumours, etc) of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance in the federal capital.
It further directed all satellite TV channels to ensure that an impartial and independent Editorial Board be constituted in order to ensure that their platform was not used by anyone for uttering remarks in any manner which are “contemptuous and against any state institution and hateful, prejudicial to law and order situation in the country.
Govt warns Imran of action
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that people who were giving threats to police heads and a female magistrate would have to face action under the law.
“Imran Khan gave threats. The whole world watched. Now he should get ready to face action,” he said in a series of tweets.
He added that the former premier has to answer for such comments and interfering in state matters.
“It is not possible to insult the martyrs, incite rebellion and then stand in Islamabad and challenge the state writ. This attitude can lead to the encouragement of extremists and terrorists in the country, action is necessary!” he said.
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb described the former premier as a “threat” to the country as Imran was leading the country towards a “civil war”.
She claimed that there was a low turnout in the F9 rally and PTI claimed that there was a large gathering.
Islamabad police to ‘work as per law’
The Islamabad police also reacted to the onslaught, saying that “it will continue its duties diligently.”
Anyone making threats or allegations would be dealt with according to law, it said in a series of tweets, adding that they have taken its work seriously for the people and the country.
Police reiterated that they would act as per law against “all false allegations”.
