The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned the airing of former prime minister Imran Khan’s speeches citing “hate speech against state institutions”. The authority has also suspended the licence of ARY News for airing clips of Khan’s address in its news bulletin.
The ban was announced on Sunday following the ousted premier’s address to his party workers in Lahore. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief accused the incumbent government of corruption and said the officials were provided legal cover by former army chief Gen (retd.) Qamar Javed Bajwa.
The prohibition order stated that Khan 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 peace and tranquility”.
According to PEMRA, the channels aired Khan’s speech without utilising the time delay mechanism, committing violations of both the authority’s laws and court orders. The regulator, under Section 27(a) of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, prohibited broadcasting and rebroadcasting of Khan’s speeches and live or recorded press talks with “immediate effect”.
PEMRA also termed “airing of baseless allegations, hateful, slanderous and unwarranted statement against state institutions” a violation of Article 19 of the Constitution. It directed TV channels to form an “impartial editorial board” to prevent their platforms from being used for “uttering remarks in any manner which are contemptuous and against any state institution and hateful, prejudicial to law and order situation in the country”.
This is the third time that PEMRA has imposed a ban on Khan’s speeches. The former premier was first banned from coverage in August and then in November 2022. The move has attracted widespread criticism, with PTI leaders, journalists and rights activist calling the ban an attack on free speech and democracy.
HRCP deplores @reportpemra's decision to ban @ImranKhanPTI's speeches on electronic media. We have always opposed measures to curb voices in the past – whether under the previous government or earlier – and we stand by our commitment to freedom of speech. pic.twitter.com/T2sEiYjZf7
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) March 5, 2023
PTI leader Ali Haider Zaidi said, “Using PEMRA as a political tool and banning leaders like Imran Khan will not address the challenges Pakistan faces today.”
This country is being ruled by criminals with fascist mindsets!
Using PEMRA as a political tool & banning leaders like @ImranKhanPTI will not address the challenges Pakistan faces today. Imran Khan lives in the hearts of the people of Pakistan.
Who can call us a democracy today?— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) March 5, 2023
Activist Usama Khilji said PEMRA has become a censorship body in Pakistan instead of fulfilling its role as the media regulator.
Rather than regulating electronic media better @reportpemra has become a censorship body in Pakistan.
Strongly condemn ban on coverage of F-9 park rape case, terrorist attacks, & speeches of @ImranKhanPTI by PEMRA. These bans should be immediately withdrawn & press freedom upheld pic.twitter.com/u1wHgaboIs— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) March 5, 2023
The PTI will challenge the ban in court, according to party leader Fawad Chaudhry.
