PEMRA ban illegal; Imran Khan’s legal adviser files a petition in Lahore High Court
Ahmed Pansota has challenged PEMRA's ban on PTI chairman as unconstitutional in Lahore High Court, He said expression of opinion cannot be banned under court orders
PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s legal advisor Barrister Ahmad Pansota says that it is illegal for PEMRA to ban press conferences, speeches and statements of the Chairman on TV channels.
Barrister Ahmed Pansota termed PEMRA’s move to ban live and recorded speeches, press conferences, and statements of Chairman PTI Imran Khan as illegal.
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Barrister Ahmad Pansota said in his Twitter message that Justice Atharmanullah Pemra has given a decision in this regard under the laws, the authority has no authority to issue a restraining order.
Barrister Ahmed Pansota says that as Imran Khan’s legal advisor, I have challenged in the Lahore High Court. PEMRA’s order has been challenged on the ground of unconstitutionality.
Prohibition Order by @reportpemra, banning @ImranKhanPTI’s speeches and press conf on all channels is illegal. Minallah J has already held that “..a plain reading of section 27 also, prima-facie, shows that it
does not empower the Authority to issue a blanket prohibition order…” pic.twitter.com/NuLpGHWByF— Muhammad Ahmad Pansota (@Pansota1) March 5, 2023
Imran Khan’s legal adviser said that PEMRA’s illegal order has been challenged in the Lahore High Court on the grounds of being illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional. The case will be heard tomorrow.
As @ImranKhanPTI’s legal counsel I have challenged @reportpemra’s illegal Prohibition Order before the Honourable Lahore High Court.
The Order has been challenged on the grounds of being disproportionate, illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional. The case will taken up tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Ccrt7lA663— Muhammad Ahmad Pansota (@Pansota1) March 6, 2023
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan regretted the ban on the speeches and press conferences of PTI Chief Imran Khan by PEMRA as a violation of freedom of expression.
HRCP deplores @reportpemra‘s decision to ban @ImranKhanPTI‘s speeches on electronic media. We have always opposed measures to curb voices in the past – whether under the previous government or earlier – and we stand by our commitment to freedom of speech. pic.twitter.com/T2sEiYjZf7
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) March 5, 2023
“We have always opposed measures to curb expression in the past,” the commission said. Be it the previous regime or the previous regimes, they have remained steadfast in their commitment to freedom of expression.
It should be noted that PEMRA banned the coverage of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on TV channels on the charge of giving speeches against the country’s institutions.
