ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Thursday banned the broadcast of speeches, interviews and public addresses by “absconders and proclaimed offenders.”
The ban comes hours after Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accused the country’s military of political interference, saying in a televised speech from exile in London that the army had rigged the 2018 election. The military and present government have both denied the charge.
Sharif’s third term as prime minister ran from 2013 to 2017, when he was removed by the Supreme Court amid revelations over his personal wealth. Last year he was released on bail from a seven-year prison sentence for corruption and flown to London for medical treatment. He has not returned and Prime Minister Imran Khan has said his government will bring him back from London through a court order.
“A self-explanatory complaint received from Mr. Muhammad Azhar Siddique against the several news channels in particular who aired the interview/speech/ public addresses of an absconder or a proclaimed offender,” PEMRA said in its order, reminding news channels that they were bound to comply with PEMRA laws.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication, Dr. Shahbaz Gill, told media an “absconding criminal” would not be allowed to take part in political activities or deliver speeches on live TV.
Sharif’s allegations have also sparked an angry response from PM Khan, who in his own televised remarks on Thursday said Sharif was “playing a very dangerous game” by humiliating the military and intelligence services. He dismissed the allegations of rigged elections as baseless.
Pakistan telecoms regulator bans TV speeches by ‘proclaimed offenders, absconders’
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Pakistan telecoms regulator bans TV speeches by ‘proclaimed offenders, absconders’
- Ban comes after ex-PM Nawaz Sharif delivered televised speeches against the Pakistan government and military from exile in London
- Sharif was last year released on bail from a seven-year prison sentence for corruption and flown to London for medical treatment
Pakistan U19 to open tri-series against Afghanistan on Saturday in Zimbabwe
- Pakistan enter the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai
- The tri-series is seen as key preparation for next month’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team will begin their tri-series campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday in Harare, using the tournament as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan, the reigning ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup champions, are competing in the 50-over tri-series alongside Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, with each team playing the others twice before the top two advance to the final on Jan. 6.
Pakistan won the eight-team Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, beating India by 191 runs in the final, and will play a minimum of four matches in the tri-series, starting at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity,” Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup.”
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe on Dec. 29 before meeting Afghanistan again on Jan. 2, followed by a second match against the hosts on Jan. 4. Matches will be played across venues in Harare, including Harare Sports Club, Prince Edward School and Sunrise Sports Club.
The tri-series is being seen as an important warm-up ahead of the U19 World Cup, which will be held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. Pakistan are placed in Group C and will play all their group-stage matches in Harare.
“The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations,” Yousaf said. “Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on Jan. 16, followed by matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe, with the Super Six stage beginning on Jan. 25 and the final scheduled for Feb. 6 at Harare Sports Club.
