Islamabad, 18 March 2023 (GNP): The Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan has arrived at the Islamabad Judicial Complex for a court hearing, however live coverage of events outside that building was blocked on Saturday by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).
“Without any editorial oversight during the recent standoff between political party workers and law enforcement agencies in Lahore wherein the violent mob used petrol bombs, injuring armless (sic) policemen and blazing (sic) police vehicles,” the statement claimed, the footage or images were seen on TV.
The live broadcast of such material on various satellite TV stations “caused pandemonium and panic” among spectators and the authorities. It warned that such mob action put public property and lives in danger, in addition to endangering law and order.
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According to Pemra, airing such content would be against various rulings of the Supreme Court.
The regulator “hereby prohibits live/recorded coverage of any kind of rally, public gathering, procession, by any party, organisation, and individual etc. for today, i.e. March 18, 2023, including from the Judicial Complex, Islamabad,” in accordance with the authority granted by Section 27(a) of the Pemra Ordinance 2002 as amended by the Pemra (Amendment) Act 2007.
