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LHC suspends Pemra order banning Imran Khan’s speeches

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LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday suspended Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) order, banning the broadcast of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan’s speeches.

Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza announced the suspension of the order in a verdict he had reserved earlier today. The judge also admitted the PTI chief’s request for the formation of a full bench and sent the case to the LHC chief justice.

The judge after announcing the verdict adjourned the hearing till March 13.

On Sunday, Pemra slapped a ban on the live broadcast of the deposed prime minister after he heaped scorn on state institutions amid drama over his arrest from Zaman Park in the Toshakhana case. Subsequently, Khan filed a petition in the LHC for the annulment of the ban, accusing the regulatory authority of exceeding its constitutional powers by imposing the restriction.

Today, LHC’s Justice Mirza took up the plea for a hearing and inquired about the grounds of the case.

Khan’s lawyer informed the court that an earlier ban imposed by Pemra was also suspended by the Islamabad High Court.

At this, Pemra’s lawyer opposed the argument and argued that the case was in IHC’s jurisdiction and not in the LHC.

“A five-member bench has heard a case of similar nature on Monday,” the lawyer maintained while requesting the court to forward the plea to a larger bench.

At this, the LHC had reserved its verdict. 

LHC seeks security plan for Imran Khan

Meanwhile, the high court also heard a separate plea filed by the PTI chief for security and permission to appear via video link in courts.

The court remarked that the individuals related to the relief sought in the petition were not even a party in the case.

At this, Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar informed the court that some of the parties had been removed from the petition after the objections were raised on the plea.

He said that the plea had been filed on Monday and fixed for the hearing yesterday after the removal of objections.

At this, Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh remarked that the petition was very confusing.

The court asked the lawyer if they wanted foolproof security for Khan.

“Does a former prime minister get the security,” it asked.

At this, the lawyer responded positively while Justice Sheikh directed him to make corrections in the petition.

“Bring the petition after correction and the court will take it up today,” he added. 

When the hearing reconvened, Khan’s lawyer informed the court that the corrections had been made in the plea.

“There is a law for the provision of security for a former premier,” he maintained.

He told the court that Khan had been given security but it was withdrawn on January 19.

At this, the federal government’s lawyer maintained that the provision of security was a subject of provincial government.

Meanwhile, Justice Sheikh remarked that there was a security issue in this court, however, the petitioner needs to approach a relevant court for permission of appearance via video link.

The court then directed the provincial and federal governments’ lawyers to assist the court after taking directives on provision of security by Monday.

At this, Khan’s lawyer requested the court to provide security to Khan immediately.

However, the court told him to wait till the government lawyers bring the security plan, and issued notices to Punjab inspector general of police and home department.

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KP CM Ganadapur granted three weeks of travel bail by PHC

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The chief minister of KP, Ali Amin Gandapur, has been granted three weeks of transit bail in his plea with the Peshawar High Court (PHC).

The appeal for information regarding charges against Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was considered by a two-judge panel from the PHC, which included Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Sahibzada Asadullah.

The chief justice noted that the chief minister showed up for the court hearing, even though he was actually scheduled to be in Islamabad for an IMF meeting.

The applicant’s legal representative has asked for specifics of all pending charges against Chief Minister Gandapur, including those in Punjab.

According to the assistant attorney general, he told the ministry of the interior to adhere rigidly to court orders.

According to CJ Ibrahim, they have the option to request a response from the federal government and extend protection bail up to the Punjab region.

In every case, the additional attorney general ensured that court orders were implemented. He said that he had written to each district and requested details from the Punjab Police and the Inspector General.

The assistant attorney general has asked for an extension of three weeks to complete the report.

Gandapur could not attend the court daily due to his administrative duties and his position as chief minister and public office holder, according to Justice Asadullah.

After extending KP CM’s protective bail, the judge postponed the case hearing to December 17.

“Prepared to Protest”

Speaking to the media outside of PHC, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur declared that he was prepared for the PTI protest meeting and that this time, the action plan will be stringent but undisclosed.

He emphasized that their peaceful protest was in accordance with their constitutionally protected right. According to him, his group was attacked, rubber bullets were shot, and routes were blocked so that protests couldn’t take place.

Importantly, on November 24th, Aleema Khan, who is the brother of PTI founder Imran Khan, said that her brother had called for a final protest.

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The acquittal request of PTI founder Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana-II case has been denied.

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Shahrukh Arjumand, the Special Judge for the Central Region, rejected the acquittal pleas submitted by Bushra Bibi and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder in the prominent Toshakhana reference case.

On Monday, possible charges may be officially filed against the accused, thanks to the court’s decision.

Claims in the lawsuit center on the alleged misappropriation of presents from the Toshakhana, a state depository for such gifts, and the matter has attracted considerable public interest. Following the acquittal plea’s denial, the prosecution will likely move forward with more legal actions, and the parties involved will likely make additional court appearances.

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PML-N President Nawaz Sharif’s Media Statement: Pak-US Relations Remain Stable and Will Enhance Following President-Elect Donald Trump’s Inauguration

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Nawaz Sharif, President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, has spoken hope regarding the stability and potential enhancement of Pakistan’s relations with the United States following President-Elect Donald Trump’s decisive victory in the recent US elections.

The PML-N President stated that the Indian cricket team ought to have visited Pakistan for the forthcoming Champions Trophy 2025, which may have enhanced bilateral relations.

Nawaz criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on smog pollution in Punjab, questioning, “Where is the billion-tree tsunami? Where are the billion trees, the 5 million jobs, and the dams?” I am unable to perceive anything. PTI should identify the project initiated during its governance at the federal level.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam stated that the smog issue has persisted for long years and cannot be rectified instantaneously; nonetheless, we are exerting our utmost efforts to address it. We are undertaking all necessary measures to address this issue. No measures were implemented previously to address this issue.

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