LAHORE: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) order prohibiting the broadcast of speeches by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan was suspended on Thursday by the Lahore High Court (LHC).
The suspension of the order was announced by Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza in a verdict he had reserved earlier today. The judge sent the case to the Chief Justice of the LHC after also granting the PTI chief’s request for the formation of a full bench. The hearing was postponed until March 13 by the judge after announcing the verdict. The live broadcast of the ousted prime minister was prohibited by Pemra on Sunday after he criticized state institutions amid the drama surrounding his arrest in Zaman Park for the Toshakhana case.
Khan then submitted a petition to the LHC asking for the ban to be lifted, claiming that the regulatory body had overstepped its legal authority by placing the restriction. Justice Mirza of the LHC heard the plea today and enquired into the legal basis for the claim. Khan’s attorney informed the court that the Islamabad High Court had also suspended a prior ban imposed by Pemra. At this point, Pemra’s attorney disagreed with the contention and asserted that the IHC, not the LHC, had jurisdiction over the case. The attorney argued that a case of a similar nature had already been heard by a five-member bench on Monday while pleading with the court to assign the plea to a larger bench. The LHC had not yet made a decision at this point.
Meanwhile, the high court also heard a separate plea filed by the PTI chief for security and permission to appear via video link in courts.
The court remarked that the individuals related to the relief sought in the petition were not even a party in the case.
At this, Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar informed the court that some of the parties had been removed from the petition after the objections were raised on the plea.
He said that the plea had been filed on Monday and fixed for the hearing yesterday after the removal of objections.
At this, Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh remarked that the petition was very confusing.
The court asked the lawyer if they wanted foolproof security for Khan.
“Does a former prime minister get the security,” it asked.
At this, the lawyer responded positively while Justice Sheikh directed him to make corrections in the petition.
“Bring the petition after correction and the court will take it up today,” he added.
When the hearing reconvened, Khan’s lawyer informed the court that the corrections had been made in the plea.
“There is a law for the provision of security for a former premier,” he maintained.
He told the court that Khan had been given security but it was withdrawn on January 19.
At this, the federal government’s lawyer maintained that the provision of security was a subject of provincial government.
Meanwhile, Justice Sheikh remarked that there was a security issue in this court, however, the petitioner needs to approach a relevant court for permission of appearance via video link.
The court then directed the provincial and federal governments’ lawyers to assist the court after taking directives on provision of security by Monday.
At this, Khan’s lawyer requested the court to provide security to Khan immediately.
However, the court told him to wait till the government lawyers bring the security plan, and issued notices to Punjab inspector general of police and home department.
