NAUNDERO: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Saturday banned broadcasting of Imran Khan speech and news conference.

According to a letter issued to all the broadcasters, the PEMRA said Mr. Imran Khan during Long March and his press conference aired on various satellite TV channels on November 04, 2022 has made aspersions against the state institutions by leveling baseless allegations for orchestrating an assassination plan. Contents of his speeches are being rebroadcast on various TV channels in their talk shows and news bulletins without any editorial oversight.

PEMRA said whereas, airing of such content is likely to create hatred among the people or is prejudicial to maintenance of law and order or is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility or endangers national security is a serious violation of Article 19 of the Constitution and Section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as well as Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.

PEMRA said the TV channel violated the law and the orders of the superior courts while broadcasting such a content. Therefore, PEMRA chairman now prohibits broadcast and re-broadcast of speech(es)/press conferences of Mr. Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect. The PEMRA said Ii case of any violation observed, the license may be suspended without any show cause notice in the public interest.