Islamabad, Pakistan (CU)_ Under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), an FIR has been filed against former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan. Imran Khan was charged for threatening a judge and two high-ranking officials while delivering his speech during a recent gathering in Islamabad. Previously, the electronic media watchdog of Pakistan prohibited satellite television networks from airing live addresses of deposed Prime Minister Imran Khan, hours after he threatened state institutions and made incendiary remarks at a public gathering.
According to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Imran’s pre-recorded address will only be allowed to be broadcast following the implementation of a delay mechanism in order to guarantee adequate monitoring and editorial control. According to Rana Sanaullah, the interior minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan’s speech continued a pattern that target the army and other institutions in Pakistan.
In his most recent public address, Khan promised to bring lawsuits against senior police officers, a female magistrate, the Election Commission, and political opponents over the actions towards his aide Shahbaz Gill, who was jailed last week on sedition allegations. According to a recent statement released by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), in spite of several warnings, television networks had failed to adopt a time-delay approach to prevent the transmission of content critical of state institutions.
The statement said, “It has been observed that Mr Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, 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”. According to the regulator, Khan’s statements violated Article 19 of the Constitution and the media code of conduct.
