Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority banned the boradcast of Imran Khan’s speeches with immediate effect on Sunday.

“(PEMRA) prohibits broadcast/rebroadcast of speech(s)/press talks (recorded or Live) of Mr. Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect,” the order read.

The order said that the ban was placed because the PTI chief has been ‘continuously’ maligning state institutions and promoting hate speech which could disturb public peace.

“Mr. Imran Khan in his speeches/statements is continuously alleging state institutions byleveling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statementsagainst state institutions and officers.”

The order also said that TV channels who had broadcasted Imran Khan’s recent speeches had not utilised the delay mechanism effectively. The ban was placed through section 27(a) of the PEMRA ordinance.

The order said that any organisations that did not comply with the ban would have their licenses cancelled.

The ban comes on a few hours after the Islamabad police failed to arrest Imran Khan from his Lahore residence after workers gathered in large numbers.

While PTI leaders told the police that Imran was unavailable, Imran made a speech inside telling supporters that there was a threat to his life from multiple people including a serving officer of the army.