Pakistan’s media regulatory watchdog has imposed a ban on the live broadcast of speeches by Imran Khan.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority accused Khan of hurling “baseless” allegations and threats against state institutions and government officials.
The action came hours after Khan’s speech in Islamabad about his adviser, Shahbaz Gill, who is on trial for allegedly inciting mutiny in the armed forces. Khan’s PTI party accuses police of torturing him to obtain a statement against the former premier.
The government and police have denied the charge.
“WHEREAS, it has been observed that Mr. Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, (PTI) in his speeches/statements is continuously alleging state institutions by levelling 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 tranquillity, ” said a statement from Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.
It said the chairman PEMRA “in view of the above mentioned background and reasons, hereby prohibits broadcast of live speech of Mr. Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect.”
However, recorded speeches would be permitted to be aired only 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.
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Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote by parliament in April. He claims his government was ousted in a U.S.-sponsored conspiracy, a charge Washington and Pakistan’s army reject.
