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Imran's speech blocked in Pakistan despite PEMRA saying its ok
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The Banana Republic under PDM: PEMRA imposes ban on live speeches by Imran Khan
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Lahore High Court’s Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza on Thursday sought reply from PEMRA by June 13 on a plea filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan seeking contempt proceedings against the regulatory body for not broadcasting his speeches despite suspension of its earlier notification.
The petitioner had earlier challenged PEMRA’s prohibition in the LHC, upon which Justice Mirza suspended PEMRA’s prohibition order on March 9.
On April 1, Imran Khan had filed a contempt plea in the high court through Barrister Muhammad Ahmad Pansota. He argued that despite the LHC's clear order in the presence of the counsel for the respondents, including Saleem Baig (Chairman of PEMRA) and Muhammad Tahir (Director Operations, Broadcast Media PEMRA), the order had not been complied with to date.
The petitioner argued that the TV channels are refraining from airing the petitioner's speeches due to threats from the respondents, which he brought to the attention of the court.
The petitioner submitted that the respondents' actions are contemptuous, illegal, and against the law and the Constitution. Barrister Pansota contended in the petition that the respondents' actions contradict Article 10-A of the Constitution of Pakistan. He argued that these actions are unlawful, without jurisdiction, violate the petitioner's fundamental rights, and have no legal effect. As a result, the respondents should refrain from acting in a manner that is prejudicial to the petitioner's interests and contrary to the law and the Constitution, he added.
Moreover, the petitioner highlighted that the right to equality before the law, as guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan, cannot be taken away or tampered with.
The petitioner has been treated unfairly and unjustly, he argued.
The petitioner further pleaded that the respondents have willfully disregarded the LHC's judgment, which has diminished the prestige and honour of the court. Their violation of the order has ridiculed the authority of the court, resulting in a loss of esteem for the court. Their acts constitute clear disobedience and should be punishable according to the Contempt of Court law, he stressed.
Barrister Pansota argued that if strict action is not taken against the respondents for their contempt of court, it would undermine the writ and the administration of justice.
Eventually, the petitioner filed a contempt plea in the LHC, emphasising that the respondents' non-compliance with the court's order, along with their threats to TV channels, constitutes contempt of court.
The petitioner sought proper punishment for the respondents and highlighted the importance of upholding justice and the rule of law.
Express Tribune
The petitioner had earlier challenged PEMRA’s prohibition in the LHC, upon which Justice Mirza suspended PEMRA’s prohibition order on March 9.
On April 1, Imran Khan had filed a contempt plea in the high court through Barrister Muhammad Ahmad Pansota. He argued that despite the LHC's clear order in the presence of the counsel for the respondents, including Saleem Baig (Chairman of PEMRA) and Muhammad Tahir (Director Operations, Broadcast Media PEMRA), the order had not been complied with to date.
The petitioner argued that the TV channels are refraining from airing the petitioner's speeches due to threats from the respondents, which he brought to the attention of the court.
The petitioner submitted that the respondents' actions are contemptuous, illegal, and against the law and the Constitution. Barrister Pansota contended in the petition that the respondents' actions contradict Article 10-A of the Constitution of Pakistan. He argued that these actions are unlawful, without jurisdiction, violate the petitioner's fundamental rights, and have no legal effect. As a result, the respondents should refrain from acting in a manner that is prejudicial to the petitioner's interests and contrary to the law and the Constitution, he added.
Moreover, the petitioner highlighted that the right to equality before the law, as guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan, cannot be taken away or tampered with.
The petitioner has been treated unfairly and unjustly, he argued.
The petitioner further pleaded that the respondents have willfully disregarded the LHC's judgment, which has diminished the prestige and honour of the court. Their violation of the order has ridiculed the authority of the court, resulting in a loss of esteem for the court. Their acts constitute clear disobedience and should be punishable according to the Contempt of Court law, he stressed.
Barrister Pansota argued that if strict action is not taken against the respondents for their contempt of court, it would undermine the writ and the administration of justice.
Eventually, the petitioner filed a contempt plea in the LHC, emphasising that the respondents' non-compliance with the court's order, along with their threats to TV channels, constitutes contempt of court.
The petitioner sought proper punishment for the respondents and highlighted the importance of upholding justice and the rule of law.
Express Tribune
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Reports say ban placed on telecast of Imran’s name, photo: Babar Awan
PTI leader Babar Awan has claimed there are reports of a ban on the telecast of party chief Imran Khan’s name and picture.
There has not been any official confirmation by the government and relevant authorities yet about the imposition of any such restriction.
PTI leader Babar Awan has claimed there are reports of a ban on the telecast of party chief Imran Khan’s name and picture.
There has not been any official confirmation by the government and relevant authorities yet about the imposition of any such restriction.
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Pemra bars airtime for May 9 perpetrators
Broadcasters must use time-delay mechanism to ensure monitoring of live programmes, says Pemra
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) — in its latest directive — barred televisions channel from giving air time to “hate mongers, perpetrators and their facilitators”, advising them to remain “vigilant”.
The Pemra notification, which was issued by the regulatory body on Wednesday, stated that the Constitution guarantees people the right to freedom of expression; however, "reasonable restrictions" must be placed in the larger interest of Islam, morality, decency and the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan.
The notification read: “As per Article 19 of The Constitution of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence.”
The News PK
Broadcasters must use time-delay mechanism to ensure monitoring of live programmes, says Pemra
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) — in its latest directive — barred televisions channel from giving air time to “hate mongers, perpetrators and their facilitators”, advising them to remain “vigilant”.
The Pemra notification, which was issued by the regulatory body on Wednesday, stated that the Constitution guarantees people the right to freedom of expression; however, "reasonable restrictions" must be placed in the larger interest of Islam, morality, decency and the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan.
The notification read: “As per Article 19 of The Constitution of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence.”
The News PK
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It was a surreal moment. On Tuesday night during his live TV show, Pakistani anchor Kashif Abbasi was talking about a legal petition filed by a lawyer against former prime minister Imran Khan.
Mr Abbasi says his name, then stops himself: "He filed an application under article six against Imran Khan… I apologise, against the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf."
We tried to speak to Mr Abbasi, but he did not get back to us.
Over the last week, you will have struggled to hear Imran Khan's name or see his picture on Pakistan's media.
His arrest a month ago on corruption charges is the backdrop to this crackdown. When Mr Khan was taken from a court complex in Islamabad on 9 May, protests were sparked around the country. Some protested peacefully, but there was also violence.
Military buildings including the home of the most senior military commander in Lahore were attacked. The police arrested thousands of Khan supporters and the military have said they intend to try the alleged perpetrators of the attacks in military courts, something human rights groups including Amnesty International have said is against international law.
On 31 May, Pakistan's media regulator Pemra sent out a directive to Pakistan's news channels. After mentioning the events of 9 May, the directive reminds media channels that they must refrain from providing airtime to individuals who propagate hate speech.
There is no mention of Imran Khan's name in the directive, but we have spoken to several individuals at different TV stations who told us that the message had been conveyed in clear terms to their channels.
Imran Khan's name should not be mentioned, his picture not shown, his voice not heard, even a mention on the channels' ticker tapes was not allowed, they told us. If there was any need to mention him, Mr Khan should only be referred to by his title, the chairman of his party, the PTI.
Two sources told the BBC that they had spoken directly to the owners of the TV channels they work for. They say the owners had been called into a meeting with senior officials from the military and intelligence services who told the channels in clear terms what was expected.
"They were told you will not run any news that bears his name and if you do you will be responsible," says one source who works in Pakistan TV. All contributors from the media spoke to us on condition of anonymity.
The BBC has approached the army for a response, but has not yet heard back from them. Pemra's director general confirmed that they had issued the directive but said that no instruction was given to news channels to stop mentioning Imran Khan.
It's not the first time that a politician has been subject to a ban; during Imran Khan's time in power, his political opponent Nawaz Sharif's speeches were banned.
"Censorship has always been there in some way or another in Pakistan," one journalist told me. "I used to get calls from the ISPR [the military's press wing] saying there would be consequences about talking critically about Imran Khan.
"Back then we struggled to find opposition leaders to speak to because they were in jail. Now we struggle to have someone on from the PTI. The major difference between Khan's tenure and now is that now they have this justification of the 9 May violence."
Those in the media spoke to us about how this policy could affect their channels.
"The top channels here said: 'How are you going to manage this?' The fear is that the channels will lose credibility sooner rather than later if they are not showing any news about the PTI and pushing government press conferences.
"A very large number of people also watch TV because they want to get news about Imran Khan. The day he was arrested, the viewership was incredibly high."
After being arrested then released, many of the PTI's senior leadership announced they were leaving the party. The limits on the media are just the latest attempt to reduce Imran Khan's influence before an election due later this year.
There are some who disagree with the way that this has been portrayed.
"It's been twisted for political gains, saying that his name is banned," says Faisal Vawda, former PTI leader and previously a close Khan aide. He left the party in late 2022. "It [the Pemra directive] doesn't say officially anywhere in terms of law that this is about him.
"Anyone involved in terrorism, any kind of violence will not be allowed on media, that's the basic law of the country.
"Technically he [Khan] fits into that scenario because he was the one who was commanding it. All the witnesses say that they got the instructions from him."
That's something that Mr Khan disputes, saying the violence was encouraged by the intelligence services, although he has not provided proof of this.
Those involved in the media that we spoke to have found it frustrating.
"It is farcical," says one regular contributor to TV news channels. He takes part in discussions about 9 May, but is not allowed to name Imran Khan.
"When you arrive, they ask you not to talk about the establishment's interference in politics as they worry this will get them into trouble. Even if you mention his name, because of the time delay they will just beep you out. It's just an environment of fear, it's like we are living under martial law."
The establishment is the short-hand term for Pakistan's powerful military and intelligence agencies that many analysts believe are behind the recent crackdown.
Despite there being precedent for limits on Pakistan's media - it is currently ranked 150 out of 180 on press freedom by the Reporters without Borders index - there are concerns that recent weeks have made a lasting impact on free speech.
"I think [that since 9 May] we've lost the space that we had since Musharraf era. We lost that freedom of speech," one journalist told me. "In the past year, the way military was criticised on TV channels and papers - I've never seen that.
"Now I think it will take us years, if not a decade, to recapture that space."
"This is an unprecedented level," says another. "It's the self-censorship that is actually the worst. It makes me second-guess myself, my team second-guess themselves. They come to me scared they will get something wrong, some header, inviting a particular guest because they might mention Imran Khan or be sympathetic towards what is happening to the party.
"You never know who can be picked up. We are really under pressure."
BBC
Mr Abbasi says his name, then stops himself: "He filed an application under article six against Imran Khan… I apologise, against the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf."
We tried to speak to Mr Abbasi, but he did not get back to us.
Over the last week, you will have struggled to hear Imran Khan's name or see his picture on Pakistan's media.
His arrest a month ago on corruption charges is the backdrop to this crackdown. When Mr Khan was taken from a court complex in Islamabad on 9 May, protests were sparked around the country. Some protested peacefully, but there was also violence.
Military buildings including the home of the most senior military commander in Lahore were attacked. The police arrested thousands of Khan supporters and the military have said they intend to try the alleged perpetrators of the attacks in military courts, something human rights groups including Amnesty International have said is against international law.
On 31 May, Pakistan's media regulator Pemra sent out a directive to Pakistan's news channels. After mentioning the events of 9 May, the directive reminds media channels that they must refrain from providing airtime to individuals who propagate hate speech.
There is no mention of Imran Khan's name in the directive, but we have spoken to several individuals at different TV stations who told us that the message had been conveyed in clear terms to their channels.
Imran Khan's name should not be mentioned, his picture not shown, his voice not heard, even a mention on the channels' ticker tapes was not allowed, they told us. If there was any need to mention him, Mr Khan should only be referred to by his title, the chairman of his party, the PTI.
Two sources told the BBC that they had spoken directly to the owners of the TV channels they work for. They say the owners had been called into a meeting with senior officials from the military and intelligence services who told the channels in clear terms what was expected.
"They were told you will not run any news that bears his name and if you do you will be responsible," says one source who works in Pakistan TV. All contributors from the media spoke to us on condition of anonymity.
The BBC has approached the army for a response, but has not yet heard back from them. Pemra's director general confirmed that they had issued the directive but said that no instruction was given to news channels to stop mentioning Imran Khan.
It's not the first time that a politician has been subject to a ban; during Imran Khan's time in power, his political opponent Nawaz Sharif's speeches were banned.
"Censorship has always been there in some way or another in Pakistan," one journalist told me. "I used to get calls from the ISPR [the military's press wing] saying there would be consequences about talking critically about Imran Khan.
"Back then we struggled to find opposition leaders to speak to because they were in jail. Now we struggle to have someone on from the PTI. The major difference between Khan's tenure and now is that now they have this justification of the 9 May violence."
Those in the media spoke to us about how this policy could affect their channels.
"The top channels here said: 'How are you going to manage this?' The fear is that the channels will lose credibility sooner rather than later if they are not showing any news about the PTI and pushing government press conferences.
"A very large number of people also watch TV because they want to get news about Imran Khan. The day he was arrested, the viewership was incredibly high."
After being arrested then released, many of the PTI's senior leadership announced they were leaving the party. The limits on the media are just the latest attempt to reduce Imran Khan's influence before an election due later this year.
There are some who disagree with the way that this has been portrayed.
"It's been twisted for political gains, saying that his name is banned," says Faisal Vawda, former PTI leader and previously a close Khan aide. He left the party in late 2022. "It [the Pemra directive] doesn't say officially anywhere in terms of law that this is about him.
"Anyone involved in terrorism, any kind of violence will not be allowed on media, that's the basic law of the country.
"Technically he [Khan] fits into that scenario because he was the one who was commanding it. All the witnesses say that they got the instructions from him."
That's something that Mr Khan disputes, saying the violence was encouraged by the intelligence services, although he has not provided proof of this.
Those involved in the media that we spoke to have found it frustrating.
"It is farcical," says one regular contributor to TV news channels. He takes part in discussions about 9 May, but is not allowed to name Imran Khan.
"When you arrive, they ask you not to talk about the establishment's interference in politics as they worry this will get them into trouble. Even if you mention his name, because of the time delay they will just beep you out. It's just an environment of fear, it's like we are living under martial law."
The establishment is the short-hand term for Pakistan's powerful military and intelligence agencies that many analysts believe are behind the recent crackdown.
Despite there being precedent for limits on Pakistan's media - it is currently ranked 150 out of 180 on press freedom by the Reporters without Borders index - there are concerns that recent weeks have made a lasting impact on free speech.
"I think [that since 9 May] we've lost the space that we had since Musharraf era. We lost that freedom of speech," one journalist told me. "In the past year, the way military was criticised on TV channels and papers - I've never seen that.
"Now I think it will take us years, if not a decade, to recapture that space."
"This is an unprecedented level," says another. "It's the self-censorship that is actually the worst. It makes me second-guess myself, my team second-guess themselves. They come to me scared they will get something wrong, some header, inviting a particular guest because they might mention Imran Khan or be sympathetic towards what is happening to the party.
"You never know who can be picked up. We are really under pressure."
BBC
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No ban on Imran's speeches, PEMRA tells LHC
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Thursday informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) that there was no ban on the broadcast of former prime minister Imran Khan’s speeches.
Pemra's counsel Haroon Duggal said this during the hearing of a petition filed by the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) last year against Pemra’s decision to bar all TV channels from airing Imran's speeches and press conferences.
The hearing was presided over by Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza.
After the hearing, Justice Mirza directed the media regulatory body to not pressurise TV channels over barring the broadcast of Imran’s speeches.
On March 5, 2023, the regulatory body imposed a blanket ban on broadcasting live or recorded speeches of the former premier on all satellite TV channels.
“It has been observed that Mr Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in his speeches/statements is continuously...levelling 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 tranquillity,” the order issued by the media regulatory authority read.
The next day the former chairman of PTI filed a petition in the LHC challenging the Pemra’s prohibition order.
The petition, filed through barrister Muhammed Ahmed Pansota, had contended that in the judgment reported as “Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi Vs PEMRA”, then Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Athar Minallah had declared a similar PEMRA prohibition order as “ultra vires the Ordinance” (over-stretching itself beyond the powers conferred upon it) on similar grounds.
Imran’s counsel had stated in the petition that PEMRA had issued the impugned order beyond their jurisdiction and without having regard to the constitutional rights guaranteed under Articles 19 and 19-A of the Constitution.
On March 9, 2023, Justice Mirza, presiding over the hearing, suspended the ban imposed by the media regulatory authority.
It should be noted that the Pemra had also imposed a prohibition order against airing Imran’s live or recorded speeches on August 21, 2022, after the PTI chief had warned Islamabad’s inspector general police (IG) and deputy inspector general police (DIG) in which he had said that he Would not spare them and would register a case against them for “torturing” party leader Shahbaz Gill during his physical remand.
He had also called out Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhry for approving the police request of physical remand despite knowing that Gill was subjected to “torture”. “We will not leave you [Zeba] and will also file a case against her.”
Source : The Express Tribune
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SC issues contempt notice to TV channels for airing ‘contemptuous’ pressers
The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan has issued contempt of court notice to television (TV) channels for airing contemptuous press conferences against the judiciary, ARY News reported on Monday.
A three-member bench — headed by CJP Isa and including Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi — issued the written order of the contempt proceedings against lawmakers Faisal Vawda and Mustafa Kamal for their tirades against the judiciary.
In the written order, the Supreme Court stated that it has issued show-cause notices to 34 TV channels, including 26 whose explanations Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa said were “not justifiable”.
arynews.tv
The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan has issued contempt of court notice to television (TV) channels for airing contemptuous press conferences against the judiciary, ARY News reported on Monday.
A three-member bench — headed by CJP Isa and including Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi — issued the written order of the contempt proceedings against lawmakers Faisal Vawda and Mustafa Kamal for their tirades against the judiciary.
In the written order, the Supreme Court stated that it has issued show-cause notices to 34 TV channels, including 26 whose explanations Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa said were “not justifiable”.
SC issues contempt notice to TV channels for airing ‘contemptuous’ pressers
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan has issued contempt of court notice to television (TV) channels for airing contemptuous press conferences
arynews.tv
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