INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Pakistans media regulator has actually banned tv channels from relaying speeches and press conference by Imran Khan, accusing the former
prime minister of assaulting the states organizations and promoting hatred.The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)
imposed the restriction late on Sunday after Khan provided a speech in the eastern city of Lahore, where he alleged that previous army chief
General Qamar Javed Bajwa was behind his elimination from power in April last year.The cricketer-turned-politician made the speech after
cops from the capital Islamabad made an effort to jail him in a corruption case
Khan, who denies the charges, evaded the arrest.In its alert, the PEMRA stated Khan was levelling unwarranted allegations and spreading out
hate speech through his provocative statements versus state institutions and officers which is prejudicial to the maintenance of order and
is most likely to disturb public peace and serenity
This was the third time the PEMRA has prohibited television channels from airing Khans statements considering that he lost the premiership
and began holding mass rallies to require immediate national elections.News channel suspendedNearly two hours after the ban, the media
regulator likewise suspended the licence of ARY News, a private news channel, for broadcasting Khans Lahore speech.The PEMRA stated the news
channel-- thought about considerate to Khan-- breached its order
But an ARY authorities declined the allegation
The PEMRA statement came after 8pm and almost all the channels ran clippings of Imran Khans speech in their 9pm bulletins
Nevertheless, the regulative authority suspended just our licence, the ARY official, speaking on condition of privacy, told Al Jazeera.The
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the regulators choice to ban the airing of Khans speeches on electronic media
We have constantly opposed steps to suppress voices in the past-- whether under the previous federal government or earlier-- and we continue
to stand by our commitment to freedom of speech, regardless of the persons political opinion, it said in a declaration, requiring that the
restriction be lifted instantly .PEMRA is a toolHammad Azhar, a politician coming from Khans Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, stated
the country was quick descending into darkness and there were collective efforts by the government to put its democracy under threat
This [ban on Khans speeches] is not only unconstitutional as it breaks freedom of expression ..
There can not be a blanket restriction on speeches of politicians
Besides questions of legality, it is likewise exceptionally anti-democratic in nature, he informed Al Jazeera
This regime is scared of Imran Khan and his ever-soaring popularity, he is now viewed as a prime minister-in-waiting
We are seeing cops action versus Khan and the party employees
There is a media crackdown
We are fast becoming a fascist state
Former PEMRA chief Absar Alam stated the application of law in Pakistan is flawed and the media regulator requires to improve itself
PEMRA has actually become a tool; whoever can utilize it frequently does it for their interest, he told Al Jazeera.Alam, however, included
that the television channels ought to take obligation for what they broadcast
There is a lot polarisation in Pakistan that one persons virtue is another individuals sin
Regrettably, media has magnified this a lot and they are not following media ethics or showing professionalism, he said.Paris-based media
watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) last year ranked Pakistan 157 amongst 180 nations in its World Press Freedom Index list.Source - Al
