The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has presented a detailed report to the Lahore High Court in response to a petition challenging an alleged order prohibiting the broadcasting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s name on television channels.
The court has adjourned the case indefinitely. The petition, filed by PTI’s Akmal Khan Bari, claims that Imran Khan’s name is being withheld from TV broadcasts.
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An assistant counsel informed the court that the petitioner’s lawyer was engaged in the Supreme Court. Justice Farooq Haider, who heard the case, commented that the lawyer frequently misses court hearings and only submits petitions.
The federal government’s lawyer argued that, under the PEMRA Ordinance, the petition is not maintainable. A PEMRA lawyer denied issuing any directive or notification that would prevent the mention of Imran Khan’s name in broadcasts.
In its response, PEMRA stated that no such restrictions had been imposed on the media, and no evidence was presented in court to support the claims of a ban. The response also noted that PEMRA is already addressing an application submitted by the petitioner, rendering the application in the Lahore High Court inadmissible. PEMRA has requested that the court dismiss the petition after considering the facts.