ISLAMABAD:
Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday ordered the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to regulate speeches by Pakistani Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) head Imran Khan in accordance with a previous ruling by the highest court.
IHC heard the case against Imran’s petition challenging the PEMRA notification ban live telecast of in former Prime Minister’s speeches that were suspended by the court on August 29th.
IHC Chief Judge (CJ) Athar Minallah, listening plea challenged the ban, expressed dissatisfaction over Imran’s statements, especially regarding the military. “You want to destroy their morals? CJ asked.
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Judge Minalla addressing Imran counsel said “you say that someone should will be allowed to speak freely when they say that a person is a patriot and [another] there is no person.”
“Can anyone say that general of armed forces is not a patriot?” he asked before adding, “Did you hear Imran Khan’s statements yesterday? The military rescued people while these statements were made. Can anyone justify these claims?
While deploring the PTI chief’s comments as “irresponsible”, CJ Minallah said that “you want to court give free license?
“Remember that when you give statement, the impact is greater,” the judge continued.
Turning to public rally at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad yesterday (Sunday), former prime minister claimed that Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari wanted appoint commander-in-chief of the army of their choice, because if a “strong and patriotic army commander” comes, they will be questioned about the booty.
During the trial, the judge also asked if PTI’s lawyers “assume that the Constitution should be violated.”
“You know well that the impact of accusations from a political leader with a large following, also more,” he continued, “if they make such unconstitutional remarks and stir up anger, then it is not protected [right to] freedom of speech, said the judge.
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“Can anyone be justified,” the judge asked, “if someone makes such irresponsible comments?”
“Can loyalty of army general to his country to be interrogated? You want make such statements, and then wish that PEMRA doesn’t even control it?” he continued.
CJ Minallah noted that Imran “should first decide what he wants” and what he should don’t ‘expect the courts give no relief after all this.” “You should also take responsibility,” the court said, referring to the head of the PTI.
“This is what political leadership should be,” the court observed, “that everything is at stake. for a game of thrones?
“The armed forces are sacrificing their lives for us”, the court said.
The IHC further stated that “every citizen is a patriot and not one is entitled to issue certificate of fidelity or lack thereof. As well as how Can this be said about the armed forces? who sacrificing their lives?
Referee, again referring to Imran, warned that “with such statements, you will create problems for yourself”.
“Aren’t all generals patriots?” asked the court “what message are you trying to convey to our enemies?
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It is pertinent to note that media regulatory authorities have banned on in live broadcasting of speeches by the chairman of PTI on all satellite TV channels with instant effect on August 20th.
During a speech at a protest rally in Islamabad, Imran warned IG and DIG of Islamabad police, saying they will not spare them and will register the case against them for “torment” party leader Shahbaz Gill during physical detention.
He had also called out Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhry for Satisfaction of the police request for physical confinement, despite knowing that Gill was being “tortured”. “We won’t leave you [Zeba] and will also Institute proceedings against her.”
Shortly after Imran’s speech coalition the parties demanded action against in former prime minister. Interior Minister Rana Sanaulla also promised to sue against Imran for “threaten” the woman to the judge and police officers.
Regarding the allegations against PTI leader, contempt of the case is being heard at the IHC while the case against allegations of terrorism also prosecuted in the Anti-Terrorist Court in Islamabad.
