Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) today suspended the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA)notification.
The notification prohibited television channels from airing PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s live speeches.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah suspended the notification till September 5 and observed that the regulatory authority “does not have the authority” to issue such orders.
Barristers Ali Zafar represented Khan at the hearing. In it, the PTI lawyer argued that Khan wanted to do a live telethon later today to raise funds for flood affectees.
After hearing the arguments, the IHC chief justice suspended the notification and issued notices to the regulatory authority and Attorney-General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf Ali.
The PEMRA ban came into place on August 21 after the PTI chairman threatened state institutions and government officials with serious consequences.
PEMRA’s notification said that Khan’s addresses are in open violation of the regulator’s rules and Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
