Aamir Latif
21 August 2022•Update: 21 August 2022
KARACHI, Pakistan
Pakistan's media regulatory watchdog slapped a ban Saturday on a live broadcast of a speech by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, accusing him of hurling "baseless" allegations and threats against state institutions and government officials.
The action came hours after Khan's fiery speech at a protest meeting in the national capital of Islamabad, where he threatened police officials and a female judge, who he said are responsible for the alleged torture of a close aide in police custody.
"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 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 public peace and tranquility, " said a statement from Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
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."
But the recorded speech 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.
Khan's adviser, commonly known as his "chief of staff," Shahbaz Gill, is on trial for allegedly inciting mutiny in the armed forces.
The PTI, which gave a nationwide protest call Saturday against Gill's arrest, accuses police of "torturing" him to obtain a statement against the former premier.
The government and police have denied the charge.
"We won't spare you. We will file cases against you," said an irate Khan, pointing to the capital police chief and his deputy.
He also called out female district judge Zebra Chaudhry, who remanded Gill to police custody despite opposition from his attorneys earlier this week.
"You too should prepare yourself," Khan told the judge and warned that action would be pursued against Chaudhry. "You all three should be ashamed.”
Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote by parliament in April.
He claims his government was ousted in a US-sponsored conspiracy, a charge Washington and Pakistan’s army reject.
