Pak media watchdog imposes ban on broadcasting ex-PM Imran Khan's live speeches
Islamabad, Aug 21: Pakistan's media watchdog has banned broadcasting live speeches of former prime minister Imran Khan on all satellite television channels with immediate effect, hours after he threatened state institutions and government officials while addressing a rally in Islamabad.
Khan, while addressing a public gathering here on Saturday, threatened to file cases against top police officials, a woman magistrate, Election Commission of Pakistan and political opponents over the treatment meted out to his aide Shahbaz Gill, who was arrested last week on charges of sedition.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in a communique issued on Saturday said that television channels despite repeated warnings had failed to implement a time-delay mechanism to stop the broadcast of material against state institutions .
"It has been observed that Mr Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in his speeches/statements is continuously alleging state institutions by levelling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statements against state institutions and officers which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility," it said.
The regulator said Khan's speeches were in violation of Article 19 of the Constitution and against the code of conduct for media.
"The competent authority i.e. Chairman PEMRA in view of the above mentioned background and reasons, in exercise of delegated powers of the authority vested in Section 27(a) of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, hereby prohibits broadcast of live speech of Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect," it added.
PEMRA, however, said Khan's recorded speech would only be permitted to be aired after an effective delay mechanism to ensure monitoring and editorial control.
Saturday's rally was organised by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party to express solidarity with Gill and stage a protest against what Khan claimed was blatant fascism prevalent under the imported regime of prime minister Shehbaz Sharif.
During the rally, Khan didn't spare Pakistan's Army, calling it neutrals , and urged his supporters to stand with the nation rather than the gang of thieves , in a veiled reference to the coalition government.
He also lashed out at the judiciary, terming them as biased .
While the Pakistan Army has not responded to Khan's barb, political parties such as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl and Mutahida Quami Movement Pakistan have asked the judiciary to take legal action against Khan and his aides for threatening a female judge and intimidating police officers.
Meanwhile, Khan has said that he will address a rally at Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh ground later on Sunday.
Since he was ousted from power in April, Khan, the cricketer-turned politician has repeatedly claimed that the no-trust motion against him was the result of a foreign conspiracy .
Khan has also emphasised that his party would not deal with or accept the imported government headed by prime minister Sharif.
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Viral clip shows reckless driving, stunts in Delhi; five arrested
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested five people after registering an FIR in connection with a viral video that showed a group of men performing dangerous stunts in speeding cars on Delhi roads, an official said on Sunday.
The police also recovered four vehicles allegedly involved in the incident, he said.
The video, which surfaced on social media platform X, showed several cars moving at high speed, swerving and zigzagging through traffic on Ring Road, with some occupants seen standing out of sunroofs and windows while shouting as the vehicles sped past other motorists.
The footage triggered sharp reactions online, with users demanding immediate police action and flagging the serious threat to public safety.
According to police, the video came to notice on December 27 and appeared to have been recorded around 10.44 pm on December 26, when the cars were travelling from the ITO stretch towards Sarai Kale Khan and Noida.
"Considering the seriousness of the matter and concerns related to public safety, cognisance was taken and an FIR was registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act," the police in a statement said.
During the course of investigation, five accused people were apprehended on Sunday and four offending vehicles were recovered, he added.
The accused have been identified as Almas Arshad (20), Sarfaraj (26), Mohd Imran Qureshi (23), Mohd Shabbir (23), Saad Abdullah (22), all are residents of Delhi.
The clip had been shared by a social media user who urged authorities to take strict action, saying such "extremely dangerous" driving put the lives of other commuters at serious risk and could lead to fatal accidents.
The video drew strong reactions from several users, some of whom described reckless driving and stunt behaviour as a regular occurrence on Delhi roads, while others pointed to an apparent lack of fear of law enforcement among violators.
Earlier, responding to the post, Delhi Traffic Police acknowledged the complaint and advised the user to formally report the incident for further action. In a subsequent message, the traffic police also said that in such cases, people could contact the nearest police station or dial the emergency number 112 for immediate assistance.
A senior officer said the swift action reflected the commitment of Delhi Police to road safety. "Citizens are requested to follow traffic rules and road safety guidelines to ensure safe movement on roads. Any violation will invite strict legal action," he said.
Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain if any additional people were involved.
📍Delhi: Reckless driving on Ring Road from ITO towards Sarai Kale Khan.
— Deadly Kalesh (@Deadlykalesh) December 27, 2025
Seems like Delhi’s pollution is hitting brains harder than lungs.
Extremely dangerous driving, risking lives on a public road.
📹 10:44 PM | 26 Dec
Strict action needed.
pic.twitter.com/sr2zjjUppJ
