Pakistani television channels can broadcast ousted prime minister Imran Khan's speeches live, a top court here ruled on Monday as it suspended the ban imposed by the country's electronic media watchdog following his anti-establishment remarks.
The electronic media watchdog - Pakistan Electronic Media Regu latory Authority (Pemra) - banned satellite television channels from broadcasting live speeches of Khan after he threatened state institutions and made provocative statements while addressing a rally here on August 20.
Hearing an application filed by 69-year-old Khan, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that the watchdog had "exceeded its authority" and directed Pemra to appoint an officer who could justify the ban in court. The hearing has been adjourned till September 5.
Khan's lawyers contended that the ban was illegal and contrary to the fundamental rights under the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973.
In his address at the rally, Khan had threatened to file cases against top police officials, Election Commission of Pakistan and political opponents over the treatment meted out to his aide Shahbaz Gill, who was arrested on charges of sedition.
He had also taken exception to Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry, who had approved Gill's two-day physical remand at the request of the capital police, and said she should prepare herself as action would be taken against her."
Hours after the speech, Khan was booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act for threatening police, judiciary and other state institutions at his Islamabad rally.
According to the copy of the first information report, Khan in his speech had "terrorised and threatened top police officials and a respected female additional sessions judge" with the aim to stop them from performing their functions and abstain from pursuing any action against any individual related to his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party (PTI).
Since he was ousted from power in April, the cricketer-turned politician has repeatedly claimed that the no-trust motion against him was the result of a "foreign conspiracy".
