Advocate Azhar Siddique, who has fought multiple cases as a PTI counsel, has approached Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) against the broadcast of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s statement on television channels. Azhar Siddique wrote a letter to the PEMRA chairman and argued that the speech of an absconding suspect Nawaz Sharif was aired on television channels which is against the rules of the regulatory authority. In October 2020, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had barred television channels from airing the speeches of the absconding accused and proclaimed offenders. The regulatory body in a handout issued barred to broadcast the speeches and interviews of proclaimed offenders and absconders on national television. The PEMRA had also barred the broadcast of any sort of debate on the possible outcome of the undergoing trials.

The decision has come after the speeches of the absconding three-time Prime Minister and PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif were broadcasted on the national television and the government demanded the authorities to take notice of it. On 21 August 2022, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) slapped a ban on broadcasting live speeches of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on all TV channels. PEMRA in its press release said: “It has been observed that Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in his speeches/statements is continuously alleging state institutions by leveling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statements against state institutions and officers which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility.”

Credit:Independent News Pakistan-INP