Imran Khan's live speeches will no longer be broadcast on any satellite television networks, according to Pakistan's media watchdog, hours after he made threats against state institutions and elected politicians while speaking at a rally in Islamabad.
Speaking to a crowd of people in this city on Saturday, Khan promised to file lawsuits against senior police officers, a female magistrate, the Pakistani Election Commission, and political rivals over the treatment of his aide Shahbaz Gill, who was detained last week on sedition-related allegations.
Several political parties in Pakistan, including the PML-N, PPP, MQM Pakistan, and JUI-F, have requested that the judiciary take action against Khan for allegedly threatening a female judge and intimidating police officers, according to Pak-based Geo News. According to a report by the Pakistani daily Dawn, the remarks were directed at Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry, who had ordered Mr. Gill's two-day physical remand.
During the rally, Khan allegedly also declared that he would petition the Supreme Court to protest the treatment given to Gill. Additionally, he claimed that his party was biassed. To show support for Gill, a rally was held.
However, PEMRA stated that in order to assure monitoring and editorial control, Khan's taped address would only be allowed to be aired after an efficient delay mechanism.
The gathering on Saturday was organised by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party to show support for Gill and to oppose what Khan described as the overt fascism practised by the Shehbaz Sharif government.
While Khan's jab has gone unanswered by the Pakistan Army, political parties including the 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 associates for intimidating a female judge and police officers.
Meanwhile, Khan has announced that he will speak at a gathering later on Sunday at the Liaquat Bagh grounds in Rawalpindi.