The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has prohibited the broadcasting and rebroadcasting of speeches and press talks by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect.
The ban comes after the PTI chairman addressed party workers outside his Zaman Park residence in Lahore and made allegations against government leaders and state institutions.
According to a copy of the prohibition order, the regulator referred to previous directives wherein all licensees were directed to “refrain from telecasting any content against state institutions”. The authority noted that Imran, in his speeches and statements, was “leveling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statements against state institutions and officers which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility.”
This is not the first time the media regulator has banned the former prime minister’s speeches. Last year on August 21, Pemra imposed a blanket ban on live coverage of Imran’s speeches after he allegedly threatened Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhry and the Islamabad Police IG and DIG. The ban was lifted on September 6, 2022, after Imran approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
In recent years, several Pakistani politicians, including former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, former President Asif Ali Zardari, and former Interior Minister Rehman Malik, have faced restrictions or bans by Pemra in response to their speeches, statements, and actions that were deemed to violate the regulatory authority’s laws and against state institutions. Here are some other examples:
- Altaf Hussain:
The founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was banned by PEMRA in 2015 from appearing in the media after he made a controversial speech that incited violence. The ban was lifted in 2017 after he apologized and pledged not to repeat such behavior. - Khadim Hussain Rizvi:
The leader of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) was banned by PEMRA in 2017 from appearing in the media after he made controversial remarks about the Ahmadiyya community. The ban was lifted in 2018 after he apologized. - Tahir-ul-Qadri:
The leader of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) was banned by PEMRA in 2014 from appearing in the media after he made controversial remarks about the government. The ban was lifted a few days later after he issued a clarification. - Aamir Liaquat Hussain:
The former member of the National Assembly (MNA) was banned by PEMRA in 2017 from appearing in the media after he made controversial remarks about other religious figures. The ban was lifted a few months later after he issued a public apology.
While Pemra’s actions have been praised by some for maintaining the integrity of state institutions, others have criticized them as politically motivated and an attack on freedom of expression.
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The banning of Imran Khan’s speeches is likely to reignite this debate and raise questions about the role of regulatory authorities in safeguarding freedom of speech and expression in Pakistan.
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