LHC suspends PEMRA’s ban: On Thursday, the Lahore High Court halted a PEMRA directive prohibiting local media outlets from airing addresses by PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza reserved a decision on the plea filed by a rebellious lawmaker involved in a flurry of legal proceedings earlier in the day. He then announced the decision.
This week, the PTI leader contested the media watchdog’s disputed directives regarding the broadcast of Imran Khan’s live and taped addresses. Khan’s legal representative argued in the plea that the speech restriction violated the Constitution’s fundamental rights. These limitations caused political unrest and anarchy in the county.
The state institutions accused the populist leader of verbally attacking them and encouraging hate speech, and the body that regulates mainstream media prohibited the airing of his speeches and press conferences.
After the PTI leader was ousted from office in a no-confidence vote, PEMRA barred TV broadcasters three times from airing his talks. The most recent restriction was the third time this has happened.