Asad Umar's interview on ARY News features Imran Khan's name despite PEMRA order

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 20 June 2023

In an interview, Asad Umar mentioned Imran Khan's name on ARY News, contrary to PEMRA's recent directives. This incident highlights ongoing media censorship in Pakistan.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—An interview of Asad Umar, former secretary general of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on ARY News was noted because the channel did not mute the name of former Prime Minister Imran.

On May 31, PEMRA barred TV channels "from giving air time" to the alleged preparators of the May 9 violence. Though the order did not name the PTI chairman, TV channels have been muting Khan's name as and when mentioned during talk shows.

However, in the interview of the former PTI secretary general in the talk show Off the Record, the name of the former prime minister was not muted.

In the interview, Umar explained his side of the story about why he stepped down as the party's secretary general and the way forward. Earlier in the day, Umar was in the Islamabad High Court, where he shook hands with Imran Khan, who was there to seek bail in multiple cases.  

According to BBC, on June 8, Kashif Abbasi apologized for taking the name of Imran Khan on his show.

KEY POINTS:

• Asad Umar appeared on ARY News despite PEMRA's restrictions.
• Imran Khan's name was not muted during the broadcast.
• Umar discussed his departure from PTI and future plans.
• PEMRA had issued a directive limiting airtime for May 9 violence suspects.
• Earlier, a host apologized for mentioning Imran Khan's name.