Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Monday asked whether PTI Chairman Imran Khan wanted to hurt the morale of the armed forces by delivering anti-military speeches.
While hearing a plea against the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) order prohibiting television channels from airing PTI chairman’s speeches live, Justice Minallah remarked that the armed forces lay their lives for the nation and in a case where someone is involved in illegal activity, everyone should not be criticised over it.
Do you think that anyone in the army is not a patriot?” the IHC CJ questioned Barrister Ali Zafar who was representing Imran Khan during the hearing.
A representative of PEMRA was also present to apprise the court of the regulator’s stance.
After hearing the arguments of both sides, the court wrapped up the case.
On August 21, the PEMRA imposed a ban on airing Khan’s speeches live after the PTI chairman threatened state institutions and government officials with serious consequences.
According to the media watchdog’s notification, Imran Khan’s addresses are in open violation of the regulator’s rules and Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
At the last hearing, the IHC CJ had suspended the order till September 5 and observed that the regulatory authority “does not have the authority” to issue such orders.