Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Babar Awan has expressed concern over a possible ban on airing pictures and names of Party chairman Imran Khan.
“Due to fear of Imran Khan, there is news of banning his name and picture on TV channels,” Babar tweeted on Wednesday.
He further said that the government should file a review appeal against the results of the 1992 World Cup.
“if Shehbaz and Maryam will not mention Imran in their speeches what else will they talk about?” his tweet added.
عمران خان کے خوف سے، اُن کا نام اور تصویر، ٹی وی چینلنز پر چلانے پر پابندی کی خبر آرہی ہے۔ پھر تو حکومت کو 1992 ورلڈ کپ کے نتائج کے خلاف نظرِ ثانی اپیل دائر کرنی چاہیے۔ ویسے شہباز اور مریم، عمران خان کا نام نہ لیں تو اُن کی تقریر ہوگی کیا؟
— Babar Awan (@BabarAwanPK) May 31, 2023
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) PEMRA has urged TV channels to boycott people “damaging peace” and not to promote people “inciting hatred” in relevance to the incidents of May 9 when PTI supporters clashed with law enforcement agencies. However, the media regulatory authority did not specifically mention Imran Khan’s name.
It is being assumed by commentators that the notification was referring to the PTI chairman.
“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 notification issued by PEMRA read.
“It is crucial to strike a balance between protecting freedom of speech and maintaining public order,” the notification added.
