ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) prohibited live/recorded coverage of any kind of rally, public gathering, procession by any party. organization and individual etc in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) for today (Monday), as PTI Chairman Imran Khan set to appear in courts to deal with a number of cases registered against him.
https://twitter.com/mmnewsdottv/status/1640188217973518337
It may be added here that in view of the security measures, the Islamabad police have already imposed Section-144 on Monday while Imran Khan will appear before the Islamabad court.
The PTI chief Imran Khan is scheduled to appear before Islamabad courts in five cases when the ban was introduced by media regulator earlier today.
The media watchdog reported that live footage and photographs of a violent mob attacking police and other law enforcement officials are being broadcast on satellite TV networks.
Also read: PTI Chief Imran Khan leaves for Islamabad
PEMRA said “such footage/images were seen on TV screens without any editorial oversight during a recent standoff between political party workers and law-enforcing agencies in Lahore wherein, a violent mob used petrol bombs, injuring unarmed policemen and [setting fire to] police vehicles. The live telecast of such footage on different satellite TV channels created chaos and panic among the viewers and police.”
The media watchdog warned that if these directives are not followed, channel’s license shall be suspended under Section 30 (3) of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, without any show cause notice in the public interest along with other enabling provisions of law.
Meanwhile, PTI has strongly reacted over the ban on live coverage introduced by PEMRA. Taking to Twitter, senior leader Dr Shireen Mazari said PEMRA would soon be ordering all TV channels to only show what PMLN’s Maryam Nawaz wanted to be shown.
PEMRA will soon be ordering all TV channels to only show what Pineapple Maryam wants shown! Someone shd read this absurd notification which talks of "armless policemen"! I assume it means unarmed policemen but videos clearly show heavily armed police & Rangers. Fascism reigns! pic.twitter.com/0RxiRz7Kn0
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) March 27, 2023
