Pakistan’s electronic media watchdog banned the live coverage of rallies and public gatherings in the federal capital on Monday, hours before former prime minister Imran Khan was scheduled to appear before a top court here seeking interim bail in seven cases.

 The PEMRA issued this communique after law enforcement agencies said Khan’s appearance before the Islamabad High Court could lead to a possible law and order situation in and around the federal capital. The watchdog observed that satellite television channels run live footage/images of violent mobs attacking police and law enforcement agencies.

“Such footage or images were seen on TV without any editorial oversight during the recent standoff between political party workers and law enforcement agencies in Lahore and Islamabad wherein, the violent mob used petrol bombs, injuring armless (sic) policemen and blazing (sic) police vehicles,” it observed. It said that airing footage on different satellite TV channels “created chaos and panic” among viewers and the police.  “Such activism by mob not only jeopardises law and order situation but also makes public properties and lives vulnerable,” it warned. PEMRA said airing such content would be tantamount to the violation of several Supreme Court judgments. Earlier, PEMRA banned satellite television channels from broadcasting live and recorded speeches of Khan with immediate effect, hours after the former premier dodged arrest and made “provocative statements against state institutions.”