PM demands SC to probe Imran Khan’s allegations
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday demanded constitution of a “full court commission” by the Supreme Court (SC) to probe his predecessor Imran Khan’s allegations that the premier, the interior minister and a senior military official had orchestrated the failed assassination bid on him. Sharif also said he will step down if his involvement is found in any conspiracy related to the attack on Khan.
Earlier, the Pakistan army dismissed Khan’s allegations that a senior officer was involved in the conspiracy to kill him as “baseless and irresponsible”, demanding a government probe and legal action against those maligning the institution. “The baseless and irresponsible allegations by [the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman] against the institution and particularly a senior army officer are absolutely unacceptable and uncalled for,” it said in a statement.
The army was addressing claims that PM Shehbaz Sharif, interior minister Rana Sanaullah and Major General Faisal Naseer were behind the assassination attempt on Khan. Khan, 70, suffered a bullet injury in the right leg on Thursday when two gunmen fired a volley of bullets at him and others in the Wazirabad area of Punjab province.
TV channels barred from airing Khan’s speeches
Pakistan’s electronic media watchdog on Saturday prohibited television channels from broadcasting or rebroadcasting Khan’s speeches or media interactions, saying airing such content would likely to create hatred among the people and endanger national security.
The Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) warned that it will suspend the broadcasting licence in case of any violation.