The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) addressed the Lahore High Court, refuting claims of banning the broadcast of Imran Khan’s name on TV. Justice Farooq Haider reviewed a petition from PTI member Akmal Khan Bari, who alleged a restriction on mentioning the PTI founder’s name in broadcasts. PEMRA denied issuing such a directive.
PEMRA’s report to the court indicated the petitioner did not prove any imposed restriction. It also noted that the petitioner’s complaint is still under PEMRA’s review, rendering the court application inadmissible. The federal government’s lawyer agreed, citing PEMRA’s ordinance as a basis for the case’s ineligibility for a court hearing.
During the session, an assisting attorney, covering for the absent petitioner’s lawyer, cited commitments at the Supreme Court. Subsequently, the court deferred the case indefinitely. The petition claims that avoiding Imran Khan’s name on news channels infringes on fundamental rights and demands media freedom restoration.
In a related matter, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed a petition for better prison amenities for Imran Khan after assurances from jail authorities. Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir concluded the hearing based on a report from the Adiala Jail Superintendent confirming compliance with judicial guidelines and prison rules. The report detailed Khan’s permitted visitor interactions, previously curtailed due to security concerns.
Moreover, jail officials affirmed the provision of all standard facilities to Khan and other inmates, which was aligned with the court’s directives. The petitioners acknowledged the jail’s adherence to the court’s decision, leading to the dismissal of their plea for enhanced facilities and unrestricted visits. Last month, the IHC mandated that Adiala Jail authorities ensure Imran Khan receives entitled amenities. The hearing followed Noreen Niazi’s appeal for improved conditions for Khan, with prison authorities and the Deputy Superintendent providing insights into facility regulations, including communication protocols.
