Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza announces reserved verdict on plea of Imarn Khan against PEMRA ban on his speeches and put off further hearing till March 13.
LAHORE: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-March 9th, 2023) The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday suspended Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) ban against coverage of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan’s speeches.
Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza announced the verdict he had reserved earlier. Justice Mirza also admitted plea of the PTI Chief for formation of a full bench and sent it to the chief Justice.
Imran Khan had challenged ban on coverage of his speeches through his counsel and submitted that his speeches were banned earlier but the Islamabad High Court suspended the ban.
Justice Mirza asked the counsel of Imran Khan about the grounds of the case. On it, the counsel submitted that the previous ban imposed by Pemra was suspended by the Islamabad High Court.
However, the counsel representing PEMRA opposed the plea and questioned over jurisdiction of the Lahore High Court, saying that the case was in the jurisdiction of the IHC and not in the LHC.
The lawyer of Imran Khan asked the court to forward the case to a five-member bench, saying that a similar case was taken up by the bench on Monday.
After hearing arguments of both sides, the judge reserved the verdict and later announced it by suspending the ban imposed by Pemra on coverage of live speeches of Imran Khan. The court put off further hearing till March 13.
On other hand, the LHC took up another plea of the PTI Chief for security and permission to appear via video links in the courts.
Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh was hearing the case.
The court, however, observed that the individuals who sought relief were not party in the plea.
Advocate Salman Safdar, the counsel of Imran Khan, told the bench that some of the parties were removed from the petition after the objections were raised on the plea.
He submitted that the petition had been filed on Monday and fixed for the hearing yesterday after the removal of objections.
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 observed that there was a security issue in this court, however, the petitioner needed 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 asked the court to provide security to Khan immediately.
The court, however, told him to wait till the government lawyers bring the security plan, and issued notices to Punjab inspector general of police and home department.
