Pakistan's embattled Imran Khan faces blackout on local media
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks with Reuters during an interview, in Lahore, Pakistan March 17, 2023. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File Photo
ISLAMABAD, June 5 (Reuters) - Inclusion of Pakistan's previous Top state leader Imran Khan has vanished from all standard news directs in the country after the media controller requested that organizations shut out individuals engaged with revolting last month, a Reuters overview displayed on Monday.
An order, seen by Reuters, was placed out by the controller last week alluding to brutal fights in Pakistan last month following Khan's short capture that saw army bases scoured, purportedly by the previous top state leader's allies.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) asked television licensees to ensure that "hate mongers, rioters, their facilitators and perpetrators" are "completely screened out from media". It did not refer directly to Khan.
However, coverage of the former prime minister - Pakistan's most popular leader according to polls - has disappeared to the extent that his name and image are not being aired. His mention has also disappeared from news websites
PEMRA officials did not respond to multiple requests for comment and queries on whether the directives pertained to Khan, and if the directive was meant to be an all-encompassing ban.
Khan has long been the most televised politician in Pakistan, with his speeches and gatherings getting wall-to-wall coverage and widespread viewership.
'BLANKET BAN'
The ban comes amidst a wider crackdown on Khan and his party that has seen dozens of his party members and thousands of his supporters arrested, which, he says, is being done by the country's powerful military
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