Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Information and Broadcasting Minister Pervaiz Rashid on Friday rejected a PTI’s demand for live telecast of Imran Khan’s address to the nation on state-run Pakistan Television (PTV).

“Only president and prime minister have the right to address the nation on state television,” Rashid said. “If we allow one member to use PTV for his address, we will have to give this opportunity to more than 400 members,” he said. “If all are allowed to do so, there will be no end to speeches throughout the year,” he maintained.

He urged Imran Khan to approach independent media for this purpose. “Media is independent. Imran Khan can address a news conference,” he added. Rashid recalled that Imran Khan used to make live addresses during his sit-in. Similarly, PTV Chairman Ataul Haq Qasmi also rejected Imran’s demand.

“It is beyond my mandate to allow opposition to address the nation using PTV,” he said, adding that Information Ministry should be approached for the purpose.

Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sent a letter to state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) seeking arrangements for broadcast of Imran Khan’s address to nation on Sunday.

The PTI has announced that the party has written an emergency letter to PTV management in this regard.

According to the letter, “PTV is a national asset and it is not for propagating the interest of a single person or family,” adding every Pakistani has equal right on the state-run television like PM Nawaz Sharif and his family.

The letter further said that ruling party ministers misguided the nation on Panama leaks and also lied against Shaukat Khanum Hospital on PTV. PTI has asked the PTV management to make its arrangements for the speech of Imran Khan.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah has supported Imran Khan, saying that “PTV is a public property”. However, talking to a private TV news channel, Information Minister Pervazi Rasheed said, “Only PM and the president have right to address nation on PTV.”