The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday suspended the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority's (PEMRA) orders to ban the live telecast of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former premier Imran Khan's speeches and press talks.
According to details, Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza announced the reserved verdict. He also sent the matter to the full bench for hearing and adjourned the proceedings till March 13.
On March 5, Pemra slapped a ban on the live broadcast of the PTI chief accusing him of hurling verbal attacks at the state’s institutions and promoting hate speech.
Subsequently, Khan filed a petition in the LHC for the annulment of the ban, accusing the regulatory authority of exceeding its constitutional powers by imposing the restriction.
During today's hearing Today, Khan's lawyer informed the court that an earlier ban imposed by Pemra was also suspended by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
At this, Pemra’s lawyer opposed the argument and argued that the case was in IHC's jurisdiction and not in the LHC.
Imran’s counsel had stated in the petition that PEMRA has issued the impugned order in excess of the jurisdiction vested in it and without having regard to the constitutional rights guaranteed under Articles 19 and 19-A of the Constitution.
