The Pakistani government on Saturday reversed its decision to instruct the Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to bar television channels from broadcasting speeches and press conferences by former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, just hours after the ban was introduced.
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb clarified that the government announced the revocation of the ban in light of the need to ensure the continued implementation of the constitutional protection of the freedom of speech and expression. She said the reversal indicated a “new tradition” by PM Shehbaz Sharif, who she said intends to bring about a change from “fascist Imran Khan’s” attacks on political opponents during his tenure.
She said, “If Imran Khan wants to speak against political opponents, then let him speak. Let Imran Khan’s speech against us reach the public so that the reality of this menace becomes clear to them.”
Chairman PTI @ImranKhanPTI talks about judicial commission, and how impartial it will be if Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah and Maj Gen Faisal doesn’t resign. #حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ pic.twitter.com/VuUwoM4tdH
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 6, 2022
Just hours before the reversal, the government directed PEMRA to ban Imran Khan’s press conferences from being broadcasted and rebroadcasted, saying he had “made aspersions against the state institutions by levelling baseless allegations for orchestrating an assassination plan.”
The PEMRA notice stressed that his speeches incite “hatred among the people” and threaten public peace and national security. The Authority thus condemned Khan’s “hateful, slanderous, vilifying and unwarranted statements against country’s leadership and state institutions.”
The Pakistan Broadcasters Association subsequently said it was in conversation with its members and legal advisors and looking into its legal options to oppose the directive. Similarly, the Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors condemned the order for violating freedom of expression.
The ban came just a day after Khan’s first public address since the assassination attempt on him in Wazirabad last Thursday. While Khan escaped the attack with minor injuries on his leg, one PTI worker died and at least ten others were injured. The attack prompted Khan’s Pakistani Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party to launch widespread protests.
Authorities claim that the individual who attacked Khan was driven by “religious extremism” and acted alone. Further, federal government officials have blamed the PTI-run Punjab government for the security breach.
PEMRA has officially banned all TV channels to broadcast former Prime Minister speeches - both live & recorded! #AzamSwati #حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ #امپوررٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/8Bk2L1VlL2
— Addy (@Realaddy01) November 5, 2022
During his press conference, Khan accused PM Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, and senior army official Major General Faisal Naseer of orchestrating the attack and called for their resignation.
He demanded that General Qamar Javed Bajwa take cognisance of the attack and the participation of a “black sheep” of the military establishment, referring to Maj. Gen. Naseer. He also called on Pakistani Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial to open an investigation into the incident.
Deflecting blame from his party, Khan also claimed that Punjab authorities have refrained from filing a First Information Report (FIR) due to concerns of a backlash from the government.
Imran Niazi habitually uses baseless allegations & lies to spread anarchy. Govt has decided to request honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan to form a full court commission to investigate his allegations. Let the people see through his game plan to undermine national institutions.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 5, 2022
Information Minister Aurangzeb, on the other hand, accused Khan of attempting to register a “false and illegal” FIR in Wazirabad by pressuring the Punjab government and police officers. She further alleged that PTI workers had attacked a police station in Gujrat to secure an FIR and re-establish the “rule of might.” In this regard, the Supreme Court directed Punjab Inspector General Faisal Shahkar to file an FIR within 24 hours to prevent evidence from being destroyed.
She said, “Imran Khan can hold a presser for two hours to churn out lies and hurl allegations, but has not been able to get the FIR registered under his own government [in Punjab] despite the fact that the incident took place four days ago.”
The armed forces’ Inter-Services Public Relations also called on the federal government to “investigate the matter and initiate legal action against those responsible for defamation and false accusations against the institution and its officials without any evidence whatsoever.”
Imran Khan was shot in the leg but was stable while being taken to hospital. He waived at supporters too. #عمران_خان_ہماری_ریڈ_لائن_ہے pic.twitter.com/XizoAQzPax
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 3, 2022
PM Sharif has denied involvement in the incident and accused Khan of spreading “false and cheap conspiracies” to further his political ambitions. He vowed to step down from his position if “any shred of evidence [is] found” on his role in the assassination attempt. “I will quit politics forever if it comes to that,” Sharif proclaimed.
To this end, Sharif called on Chief Justice Bandial to “form a full-court commission” and issue an “immediate decision” on the issue. He said, “The chief justice should form a full court commission to end this chaos and evil. If my appeal is not listened to, questions will be raised in future.” He also clarified that he would testify before the court if required.
While welcoming the decision to launch an independent inquiry, Khan has questioned the credibility and impartiality of the judicial commission.
Khan has also announced that his Haqiqi Azadi Long March to demand fresh elections will resume on Tuesday. While the PTI chief will not attend the rally in person, he vowed to rejoin the procession once it reaches Rawalpindi.