The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has submitted a detailed report in the Lahore High Court on a petition challenging the alleged order against broadcasting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan’s name on television channels.
The court adjourned hearing in the case indefinitely. PTI’s Akmal Khan Bari filed the petition in the LHC against the alleged non-broadcast of Imran Khan’s name on TV channels.
An assistant counsel told the court that the petitioner’s lawyer was occupied in the Supreme Court. Justice Farooq Haider, who heard the case, remarked that the lawyer never appears in court and only has to file a petition.
The federal government’s lawyer told the court that according to the PEMRA Ordinance, the petition is non-maintainable. The PEMRA lawyer denied any directive or notification barring the mention of Imran Khan’s name in broadcasts.
PEMRA clarified in its response that no such restrictions had been placed on the media by the regulatory body, and no evidence was provided in court to support claims of a ban.
The response also stated that PEMRA is already processing an application submitted by the petitioner. Hence, the application is inadmissible in the Lahore High Court, it added.
PEMRA urged the court to dismiss the petition after reviewing the facts.
