ISLAMABAD: On Monday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) inquired as to whether or not the Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, intended to bring down the morale of the armed forces through his anti-military comments.

During a hearing challenging an order issued by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) that prohibited television broadcasters from carrying live broadcasts of Khan’s talks, the Chief Justice of the Islamic High Court, Athar Minallah, made these comments.

During the most recent hearing, the Chief Justice of the IHC had said that the regulatory body “did not have the power” to make orders of this kind and had subsequently stayed the order until September 5.

Khan was represented at today’s hearing by Barrister Ali Zafar, while a representative of PEMRA was also present to provide the court with information on the organization’s position.

The judge ruled in favour of the defendant after hearing the arguments that were presented by both the plaintiff and the defendant

The ban on PEMRA was implemented on August 21 after the chairman of the PTI promised harsh repercussions for state institutions and officials of the government

According to the notice sent out by PEMRA, Khan’s addresses constitute an egregious breach of the regulations imposed by the regulator as well as Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan

The PEMRA Ordinance of 2002, specifically Section 27, is cited as the legal basis for the prohibition, as stated by the regulatory body. Khan’s speech at F9 Park in Islamabad was listed as the cause for the restriction in the notice that was sent out by PEMR

Khan is also facing contempt of court charges for threatening Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry during the same address, in addition to the ban that has already been issued against him.