ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday suspended the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) notification, banning the live telecast of former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s speeches.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah suspended the notification till September 5 and observed that the regulatory authority “does not have the authority” to issue such orders.
Barristers Ali Zafar represented Khan at the hearing, which was headed by the IHC CJ. In it, the PTI lawyer argued that Khan wanted to do a live telethon later today to raise funds for flood affectees.
After hearing the arguments, the IHC chief justice suspended the notification and issued notices to the regulatory authority and Attorney-General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf Ali.
The PEMRA ban came into place on August 21 after the PTI chairman threatened state institutions and government officials with serious consequences.
It noted that as a citizen the law has given the right to take legal action, adding that the PTI chief’s speech was mistaken as hate speech. “Imran’s stance for legal action against those responsible in Gill’s torture does not fall under hate speech,” it added.
