The Islamabad High Court on Monday disposed of a petition challenging the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) orders to ban the live telecast of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s speeches as IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah raised concerns over the former prime minister’s statements passed at a rally in Faisalabad a day earlier, a private TV channel reported.
“Was the statement given at a rally constitutional and right,” Justice Minallah asked as the court took up PTI’s petition. He asked Pemra’s lawyer whether the watchdog had taken any measure in this regard, saying that people in authority at times gave irresponsible statements. The watchdog’s lawyer replied the authority issued a show-cause to ensure the implementation of the time-delay mechanism in live broadcasts. He said that Pemra’s orders were not aimed at a particular person.
The court, addressing the PTI’s lawyer, said that “let’s not make things difficult as your client also made irresponsible statements.” Here, Barrister Ali Zafar said that Pemra took measures under the directions of the Supreme Court. At one point during the hearing, referring to Imran’s statements at the Faisalabad rally, the IHC CJ asked: “How can you say in public whether an army chief is a patriot or not?” Justice Minallah said that the armed forces personnel were getting martyred “and you [Imran] are bringing their morale down”.
He also asked the PTI counsel as to why [his party] was harming constitutional institutions. “You will only invite difficulties as a result of your statements,” he said. The recent statement, the judge pointed out, did not even fall under Article 19 (freedom of speech) of the Constitution. How could you avoid a ban when such statements are given, he noted. “Do we put everything at stake for the game of thrones?” the IHC CJ asked.He remarked that the court should not be expected to provide any relief in view of the things that were going on.
Justice Minallah asked the PTI counsel to undergo self-accountability, saying “do not expect relief from courts as it is the prerogative of courts.” He stressed that every citizen was a patriot and no one had the right to “issue a certificate [of patriotism]”. Subsequently, the court, in light of the rulings of the Supreme Court, asked Pemra to regulate Imran’s speeches and wrapped up the case.
