Federal Budget

Ban on Imran's speeches: LHC seeks Pemra chief's reply on contempt plea

Ban on Imran's speeches: LHC seeks Pemra chief's reply on contempt plea

Pakistan

The LHC had issued an injunction against the ban on broadcasting of the PTI chief’s speeches.

LAHORE (Dunya News) – The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued notices to Pemra Chairman Salim Baig and director operations in a contempt of court plea related to the ban on broadcasting of speeches of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan despite a stay order. 

Imran’s counsel Barrister Ahmed Pansuta submitted before Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza on Monday that the LHC had issued an injunction against the ban on broadcasting of the PTI chief’s speeches. Pemra defied the court ruling and ordered news channels to stop broadcasting Imran’s speeches which was tantamount to contempt of court, he added. 

Barrister Pansuta contended that the ban was a violation of the fundamental right of freedom of expression guaranteed under the Constitution. The ban on Imran’s speeches was a violation of the Constitution, he continued. 

He submitted that curbing freedom of speech would create chaos and political unrest in the country. In the current political situation, he said, the country could not afford chaos. 

He requested the court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the Pemra chairman and director operations. 

The court issued notices to the respondents and sought their reply.