Pemra prohibits coverage of Imran's appearance at judicial complex
“It’s all about power politics. The only difference this time around is that the state institutions have come into it," said one analyst. PHOTO: TWITTER/PTIofficial
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Saturday prohibited the live coverage of events outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex, where PTI chief Imran Khan appeared for a court hearing.
Referring to the clashes between law enforcement agencies and PTI supporters, the media regulator observed “with concern” that “TV channels are showing live footages/images of violent mob, attacks on police and law enforcing agencies”.
It claimed that such footage was seen on television screens without any “editorial oversight during a recent standoff between political party workers and law enforcing agencies in Lahore wherein violent mob used petrol bombs, injuring armless policemen and blazing police vehicles”.
According to the statement, the telecast of such footage created “chaos and panic” among viewers and the police, and “such activism by mob not only jeopardizes law and order situation but also makes public properties and lives vulnerable”.
It continued that airing such content was in violation of the judgment of the Supreme Court and Section 20 of the Pemra ordinance.
Pemra, exercising powers vested under Section 27(a) of the Pema Ordinance 2002, prohibited the live or recorded coverage of any kind of “rally, public gathering, procession by any party, organization and individual…including from the Judicial Complex, Islamabad”.
It warned that non-compliance would lead to license suspension “without any show cause notice”.