IHC hears petition against PTM leaders seeking ban on media appearance

Petition also seeks ban on social media accounts of PTM leaders

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday heard a petition seeking lifetime ban on Pashtoon Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) chairperson Manzoor Pashteen and lawmakers Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir from appearing on all mediums – print, electronic and social media – for "hate speech incitation, abetting, glamourizing or justifying violence, terror”.

The hearing presided Justice Amir Farooq sought replies from Pashteen, Dawar, Wazir, the state of Pakistan through the Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Defence, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). It also sought written response from the Ministry of Interior.

The IHC further directed the interior ministry, PEMRA and PTA to ensure all rules and regulations are implemented and adjourned the hearing till June 3.

The petition had prayed for “appropriate action” against Pashteen, Dawar and Wazir  “under prevailing laws” in the interest of the country and to “uphold the respect and prestige of the Pakistan Army”.

It maintained that it was interior, law and defence ministries, PEMRA and PTA’s duty to ensure that a constitutional institution is not maligned in public gathering and in public interviews.

The petition also seeks to delete and block social media accounts of all three PTM members and bar them from hosting or appearing on any electronic and print medium.